NEW YORK — The CEO of Minnetonka-based UnitedHealthcare is dead after being shot multiple times by an unknown assailant as he walked to an investors meeting in New York City Wednesday morning.
NYPD officials met with reporters after the slaying of 50-year-old Brian Thompson of Maple Grove, calling what unfolded "a brazen, targeted attack." Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenney provided a timeline of the fatal shooting, which happened on 54th Street outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan.
Kenney said surveillance cameras captured the shooter - a man wearing a light brown or cream-colored jacket, a black mask and black and white sneakers - arriving in the area about five minutes before Thompson's arrival. The suspect was wearing a unique gray-colored backpack that allowed investigators to track his escape.
Video shows Thompson arriving at approximately 6:44 a.m. EST. Kenney said the shooter stepped out from behind a car, ignored numerous people walking by, calmly approached Thompson from behind and shot him in the back.
"The shooter then walks towards the victim and continues to shoot," Kenney detailed. "It appears the gun malfunctions as he clears the jam, and begins firing again," suggesting that the suspect is practiced in the operation of firearms.
Kenney said Thompson's assailant then fled on foot down an alley and eventually jumped on an E-bike. He was last seen on the bike riding through Central Park. Detectives are working with the E-bike company to track a GPS unit on that particular bike to track its whereabouts. Police are also executing a search warrant on Thompson's hotel room.
Police later released photos of the suspect and advised the public of a $10,000 reward in the case.
Chief of Detectives Kenney told reporters that his investigators are speaking with Thompson's family, friends and co-workers. adding that police are looking into every potential motive in the case - including the possibility the slaying involved a disgruntled UnitedHealth customer.
Thompson's wife Paulette told MSNBC that there had been some threats against him, but did not offer specifics.
"Yes, there had been some threats basically I don't know, a lack of coverage? I don't know details," Paulette Thompson told MSNBC. "I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him."
KARE 11 contacted police both in Thompson's home community of Maple Grove and his work community of Minnetonka. Spokespersons for each department said there were no official reports of Thompson receiving threats.
Reporter Lou Raguse also spoke with Paulette Thompson, who did not want to comment further about the alleged threats but provided a statement on her husband.
"Brian was a wonderful person with a big heart and who lived life to the fullest," Paulette Thompson shared. "He will be greatly missed by everybody. Our hearts are broken and we are completely devastated by this news. He touched so many lives."
Late Monday morning UnitedHealth Group released a statement mourning the passing of their longtime colleague.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has offered its assistance to the NYPD, according to BCA spokesperson.
