Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was shot outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel on Wednesday morning in what police have described as a targeted attack, as per the NY Post. The incident occurred as Thompson, 50, arrived early for an investor conference hosted by UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare.
At around 6.46 a.m., a masked suspect allegedly lay in wait for Thompson before firing multiple shots at him. Thompson was struck in the chest and rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead, as per the report.
Law enforcement sources have revealed that the assailant fled eastbound off Sixth Avenue after the shooting. Described as a white male wearing a cream-coloured jacket, a black face mask, and black-and-white trainers, the suspect was also carrying a grey backpack.
Based on initial police findings, the shooting incident was targeted rather than random, as stated by Mayor Eric Adams.
UnitedHealthcare, which operates as the insurance division of UnitedHealth Group Inc., had planned its yearly investor conference in New York City. The event, meant to brief Wall Street about the organisation’s strategic plans and future projections, was unexpectedly concluded early on Wednesday morning, as communicated to the participants.
The Hilton hotel’s location sits in the Manhattan district, situated near prominent tourist destinations including the Museum of Modern Art and Rockefeller Center. The area typically experiences high foot traffic from tourists and office workers during weekday mornings. The annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday evening.
Who was Brian Thompson?
- CEO of UnitedHealthcare since April 2021.
- Joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004 and held key leadership roles, including CFO for Employer & Individual, Community & State, and Medicare & Retirement divisions.
- Previously led UnitedHealthcare’s government programs, including Medicare & Retirement and Community & State divisions.
- Worked at PwC as Manager in Transaction Advisory Services (2002–2004) and Audit Manager (1997–2002).
- Earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Iowa.
- Valedictorian and recipient of the Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key for highest cumulative GPA.
- Honoured as Outstanding Accounting Junior and Senior by the Iowa Society of CPAs.
