The CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, was shot in the chest and killed in Manhattan, New York, while on his way to an investor conference.
Thompson, aged 50, was shot Wednesday morning at around 7 am, according to The New York Times. Police say Thompson was rushed to the Mt. Sinai Hospital before being pronounced dead. Law enforcement officials also believe the UnitedHealthcare CEO was targeted in the attack and has begun a manhunt to find the shooter. UnitedHealthcare is the largest health insurance company in the US and has a market cap of $563 billion.
UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson shot and killed
“We are reaching out to law enforcement and family members to see if there had been any specific threat to him in the past.”
NYPD answers questions at a news conference after US healthcare executive Brian Thompson was shot dead in Manhattan.
More➡️ https://t.co/929MR053WG pic.twitter.com/Wp0fpQU65S
— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 4, 2024
According to The New York Times, Thompson had arrived early at the New York Hilton Midtown to prepare for the annual investor conference taking place later that morning. Police sealed off the scene of the crime at around 9 am. The shooter supposedly knew which door Thompson would enter through and shot him several times from close range in the chest before people saw him get on a bicycle and get away.
The company’s annual investor meeting began as scheduled at 8 am just as the news that Thompson was shot began to spread. According to The New York Times, someone attending the meeting announced to others that “someone got shot outside” as they were going up to the conference room, not knowing it was the UnitedHealthcare CEO who had been shot.
After learning of what had happened to Thompson, UnitedHealthcare decided to end the investor conference early.
“Some of you may know we’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members,” a UnitedHealthcare representative announced at the conference. “And as a result, I’m afraid we’re going to have to bring to a close the event today, which I’m sure you’ll understand.”
Brian Thompson’s sister, Elena Reveiz, told The Times that she is processing and grieving the news of her brother’s death.
“He was a good person and I am so sad,” Reveiz said in a phone call. She also said Thompson was a good father to his children and that she was on the way to be with her sister and family.
The police said they would offer $10,000 to anyone with information on the death of the UnitedHealthcare CEO. According to The New York Times, a flyer with a surveillance photo of the shooter getting away on a bike and another surveillance photo of him holding a gun will be released.
Brian Thompson as a leader
Brian Thompson became the CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021. Under Thompson’s leadership, the company has seen an increase in revenue in each of the last three years, going up by nearly $100 billion from 2021 to 2023.
Before he took over as CEO, Thompson served as the CEO of UnitedHealthcare’s government programs. He joined the company in 2004 and held many positions on his way up to CEO.
