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NEW YORK – On Wednesday morning, Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was killed in a shooting in Midtown Manhattan. The incident occurred just before 7 a.m. near the New York Hilton Midtown on Sixth Avenue. Thompson, 50, was reportedly shot in the chest at close range. He was taken to Mount Sinai West Hospital in critical condition but later died from his injuries.
The shooting is being investigated as a targeted attack. According to authorities, the gunman fled the scene on foot, heading east along Sixth Avenue, and then escaped on a bicycle. Police have not made any arrests and continue searching for the suspect. At the time of the shooting, Thompson was preparing for UnitedHealth Group's annual investor conference, which was scheduled to start at 8 a.m. The event was canceled shortly after the incident, with UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty ending the conference early.
After a long career with the company, Thompson became CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021, having joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004. Before becoming CEO, he led the company's government programs, including Medicare. He had also worked at PwC earlier in his career.
The investigation into the shooting suggests that the attack was premeditated. Sources indicated that Thompson had arrived early at the hotel and that the gunman seemed to know exactly where he would be. The authorities are still working to determine the motive behind the attack. Despite the serious nature of the incident, life at the hotel continued as usual, with guests checking in and ordering coffee as police cordoned off the area outside.
Now, the case remains under investigation, with authorities focusing on finding the person responsible for the shooting. The event has drawn attention across the business and healthcare sectors, leaving many questions about the circumstances behind Thompson's death.
