Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan early Wednesday morning in what police are investigating as a potentially targeted attack. The shocking incident unfolded at approximately 6:45 a.m. as Thompson, 50, arrived for a scheduled investor meeting where he was to present UnitedHealthcare's financial outlook.
The attacker, described by witnesses as a white male wearing a cream-colored jacket, black face mask, black-and-white sneakers, and carrying a gray backpack, was reportedly seen loitering near the hotel before the shooting. Police sources say the gunman began firing at Thompson from a distance, striking him multiple times in the chest, before fleeing the scene through an alleyway and escaping on a bicycle.
Thompson was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition but was later pronounced dead. The NYPD has yet to make any arrests, and officials have not disclosed a motive for the killing. The investigation remains ongoing, and police have appealed to the public for information about the suspect.
The violent attack occurred hours before Midtown was set to host the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting, underscoring the brazen nature of the act in one of the city's busiest areas. A significant police presence quickly descended on the scene near West 54th Street and 6th Avenue, as investigators worked to reconstruct the events leading to the fatal shooting.
NEW: UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson shot and k*lled in Manhattan by a man in a black mask.
The 50-year-old CEO was outside of the Hilton hotel when a man came up to him and shot him in the chest.
The masked man, who had a grey backpack on, then fled into a nearby… pic.twitter.com/umBPdGby17 — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 4, 2024
Thompson's death comes as a major blow to UnitedHealthcare, where he served as CEO since 2021 after more than 20 years with the company. Known for his strategic leadership, Thompson had overseen key divisions, including Medicare and Retirement, and was regarded as instrumental in steering the insurer to record profits. UnitedHealthcare's parent company, UnitedHealth Group, is the largest health insurer in the United States by market share.
UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty abruptly halted the planned investor meeting upon learning of the tragedy, addressing attendees with a somber message: "We're dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members. As a result, I'm afraid, we're going to have to bring to a close the event."
Thompson had been slated to highlight UnitedHealthcare's strong financial performance and its forecasted revenue of $450 billion for 2025. The meeting was expected to provide key updates on the company's strategy, which has faced scrutiny in recent years over controversies, including allegations of care denial and a February cyberattack that resulted in an $872 million loss.
Witness accounts suggest that the gunman was not a guest at the Hilton Hotel, but it remains unclear if he had any business there. Law enforcement officials are exploring the possibility that Thompson's corporate role or high-profile position may have made him a target. Activists have frequently criticized UnitedHealthcare over its handling of patient care, though no direct connection has been established with the attack.
