UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Courtesy photo
The CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, was killed in Midtown Manhattan Wednesday morning. Thompson was reportedly walking toward the New York Hilton Hotel when he was fatally shot in the chest and leg in what police suspect was a targeted attack.
Thompson, 50, was at the hotel to attend a UnitedHealthcare conference, being held in the ballroom, at around 6:46 a.m. when a masked man fired at the CEO and fled, police sources told The New York Post.
There are no arrests at this time, and the investigation is active and ongoing. The gunman, who was waiting for some time before Thompon’s arrival, opened fire from 20 feet away and fired multiple times, according to CNN.
Thomas was rushed to Mount Sinai West Hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead, according to the New York City Police Department.
UnitedHealth Group executives were in New York City for their Annual Investor Conference, which was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. but was abruptly cancelled. UnitedHealth Group leaders planned to discuss the company’s long-term strategic growth priorities and its efforts to advance high-quality health care, according to a company statement.
The attack came just more than an hour before UnitedHealth was scheduled to host its conference. Just after 9 a.m., the company abruptly ended the event early due to "a very serious medical situation" with one of its team members, announced UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty.
Mike Federle, Forbes CEO, asked for a moment of silence in Thompson’s honor at the Forbes Healthcare Summit in Manhattana, a few blocks away
Thompson joined UnitedHealth in 2004 and was named CEO for UnitedHealthcare, part of UnitedHealth Group, in April 2021. Thompson has also served as chief financial officer for UnitedHealthcare’s commercial, Medicare and Medicaid programs.
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