On the morning of December 4, 2024, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot outside the Hilton Hotel 7 a.m. in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Now, an eyewitness has come forward to share details about what they heard and saw that morning.
Speaking to a news station, the unnamed witness recalled, “I hear a shot,” adding, “When I look around, I saw a guy with a gun.[sic]” The witness also noted that the suspect fired three shots before fleeing the scene.
According to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the 50-year-old executive was reportedly walking to UnitedHealthcare’s investor conference when he was attacked. An unidentified gunman approached Thompson from behind and fired multiple times.
NYC Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch addresses the media about the suspected attack on UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
The late CEO was struck in the back and calf and was later pronounced dead at Mount Sinai West Hospital. A media outlet described the incident as a “premeditated, preplanned targeted attack.”
The outlet also shared surveillance footage of the shooting. In it, the gunman was seen waiting for several minutes before opening fire on the CEO. The suspect then trailed Thompson, who collapsed after being struck and then continued to fire at him.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson walks on the street, posted on December 4, 2024 | Source: YouTube.com/NBCNews
According to police reports, it appeared that the gun jammed at one point during the attack, but the assailant cleared it and resumed firing. At the time of the shooting, Thompson was wearing a blue suit.
Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators recovered three live 9 mm rounds, three discharged shell casings, and a cell phone near the scene. Investigators also believe the shooter used a silencer on the firearm.
Police mark bullet casings outside a Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan where UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot on December 4, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
As per the eyewitness account after the shooting, the suspect fled on foot, but reports further revealed that he obtained a rental bike, and was last seen entering Central Park. Police described the suspect as wearing a black hoodie and matching pants while carrying a gray backpack.
Authorities have yet to determine a motive for the attack. But, Thompson’s wife, Paulette, disclosed that her husband had received threats before his death. She stated, “Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know [the] details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.”
Thompson’s grieving family described him as an “incredibly loving, generous, and talented man,” and requested privacy during this challenging time. In response to the tragic loss, UnitedHealth Group released a statement expressing its shock and sadness over Brian Thompson‘s death.
