The New York Police Department (NYPD) intensified its search for the gunman who fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in what authorities have described as a targeted attack outside a Manhattan hotel last week. As the investigation entered its fifth day, new surveillance images and physical evidence have surfaced, but critical questions about the suspect's identity and motive remain unanswered.
The NYPD on Saturday released two additional photos of the man sought in connection with Thompson's death. The images show the suspect wearing a blue mask and dark clothing, captured both inside a taxi and walking on the street. Investigators believe the individual used the taxi as part of his escape after the killing, which occurred Wednesday morning near the New York Hilton Midtown, where Thompson was scheduled to attend an investor conference.
Joseph Kenny, NYPD chief of detectives, confirmed that the evidence so far points to a "premeditated, preplanned targeted attack." Surveillance footage shows the suspect lying in wait before approaching Thompson and shooting him in the back and calf. Thompson, 50, was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The investigation has unearthed a series of cryptic clues. Shell casings recovered at the scene bore the words "delay," "deny," and "depose," prompting speculation that the killing might be linked to Thompson's work in the healthcare industry. "That might be him sending a message saying why it was that he shot (Thompson), but at the same time, it could be a diversion to try to get taken away from the real reason behind it," said Kenneth Gray, a former FBI special agent.
Additional evidence includes a discarded backpack found in Central Park containing a jacket and Monopoly money, though no firearm was recovered. Police also retrieved a burner cellphone and a partially usable fingerprint from a water bottle. DNA evidence extracted from the scene has further bolstered the investigation, though it has yet to yield a positive match.
Authorities suspect the gunman may have left New York City shortly after the killing. Video footage shows the individual boarding a taxi to the Port Authority bus terminal. NYPD officials believe he took an interstate bus, potentially heading south, and have enlisted the assistance of law enforcement agencies in other states, including Atlanta, where the suspect may have originated.
Law enforcement sources revealed that the man arrived in New York on a Greyhound bus from Atlanta on November 24. During his stay in the city, he reportedly lodged at an Upper West Side hostel, using a fake New Jersey driver's license to check in. Roommates described him as highly reclusive, wearing a mask at all times, even while eating.
Paulette Thompson, the victim's wife, told NBC News that her husband had received threats prior to the attack but was unclear about their specifics. "There had been some threats," she said. "I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him."
The murder has sparked heightened concerns within the healthcare industry, with some companies reportedly increasing security measures for their executives. Social media reactions have ranged from outrage to troubling sentiments of justification, with some users framing the attack as an act of vigilante justice against corporate practices.
The NYPD, in collaboration with the FBI, has offered a combined $60,000 reward for information leading to the suspect's arrest and conviction. Mayor Eric Adams vowed justice, stating, "We're going to reveal who he is, and we're going to bring him to justice."
While investigators have made progress, significant gaps remain. The gun used in the crime has not been found, and authorities continue to track the suspect's movements in the hope of uncovering new leads. As the manhunt extends beyond New York, the FBI and local law enforcement agencies are coordinating efforts to prevent the suspect from leaving the country.
