NEW YORK -- UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed Wednesday morning in what police say was a targeted shooting outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding an investor conference.
The killing was a "brazen, targeted attack," Jessica Tisch, the New York City police commissioner said. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called it a "horrific and targeted shooting."
Thompson, 50, was set to speak at an investor meeting when he was gunned down around 6:45 a.m. outside the New York Hilton Midtown by a shooter who fled on foot and then took an e-bike into Central Park, according to the New York Police Department.
The gunman appeared to be "lying in wait for several minutes" before approaching Thompson from behind and opening fire, Tisch said. Police had not yet established a motive.
"Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target," Tisch said, adding that the shooting "does not appear to be a random act of violence."
Thompson was struck at least once in the back and once in the calf, Tisch said. The suspect, dressed in a hooded sweatshirt and carrying a distinct gray backpack, then fled on foot down an alleyway before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away. Thompson was taken to a hospital but could not be saved. Police were still searching for the shooter as of late morning and no arrests had been made.
The shooter was at large, sparking a search that included police drones, helicopters, and dogs.
Mayor Eric Adams said police were reviewing evidence from the scene, including video.
"We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare," the insurer's parent company, UnitedHealth Group, said in a statement.
"Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him," the company said. "We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time."
Police issued a poster showing a surveillance image of the suspect pointing what appeared to be a gun and another image that appeared to show the same person on a bicycle. Police offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Investigators recovered several 9 mm shell casings from outside the hotel and a cellphone from the alleyway through which the suspect fled. They were also searching Thompson's hotel room and interviewing his UnitedHealthcare colleagues, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.
Thompson's wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that the executive told her "there were some people that had been threatening him." She said she didn’t have details, but suggested they may have involved issues with insurance coverage.
UnitedHealthcare is the insurance arm of the healthcare giant UnitedHealth Group. The Minnetonka, Minnesota-based company was scheduled to have its annual meeting with investors Wednesday morning in New York City, according to a company media advisory. The hotel is a short walk from tourist sites such as the Museum of Modern Art and Rockefeller Center.
An announcement was made to attendees Wednesday morning that the conference was being ended early.
Part of the block where the shooting took place was cordoned off with police tape, with a large contingent of police officers at the scene. Many security cameras are nearby.
Thompson has served as CEO for more than 3 years and had been with the company since 2004.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) that the state is "sending our prayers to Brian's family and the UnitedHealthcare team."
"This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and healthcare community in Minnesota," said Walz.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the country and also manages health insurance coverage for employers and state- and federally funded Medicaid programs.