What we know so far about the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO

The CEO of UnitedHealthcare was fatally shot in Manhattan early Wednesday in what authorities have described as a “premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack.” Brian Thompson, 50, was shot in the back and leg before being taken to Mount Sinai West Hospital and pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m.

During a news conference several hours after the shooting, New York Police Department officials said the shooting was not “a random act of violence,” but that the identity of the suspect — who remains at large — and the motive for the shooting remain unknown. .

The NYPD is now offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information about the shooter.

NYPD Detective Chief Joseph Kenny described the suspect, captured on nearby security cameras, as a light-skinned man wearing a light brown or cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers and “a very distinctive gray backpack.”

According to the NYPD, footage from the scene of the attack shows the suspect approaching the outside of the New York Hilton Hotel minutes before Thompson arrived, presumably to prepare for UnitedHealthcare Investor Conference which was scheduled to begin at the hotel at 8. When Thompson arrived, Kenny said security footage showed the suspect step out onto the sidewalk and start shooting.

The NYPD responded to a 911 call about the shooting around 6:48 a.m., after the suspect had already left the scene. According to the investigation, the suspect had initially headed north several blocks on foot before boarding an electric CitiBike and riding into Central Park.

“The last thing we see of him on that bike is in Central Park,” Kenny told reporters. It’s not clear where he picked up the bike, but Kenny clarified that the bikes have GPS locations available on them. Kenny also added that the NYPD is working with Lyft, which owns the bike share brand and can access the GPS information.

Officers also found a cell phone near the scene and are conducting a forensic analysis on the device to see if it is related to the shooting.

The NYPD added that there was reportedly a witness “standing next to the victim when he was shot,” and investigators are seeking to identify and speak with that person for more information.

It has not been confirmed whether the suspect was a professional shooter, but after reviewing security camera footage, NYPD investigators noted that “it appears that (the suspect is) skilled in the use of firearms as he was able to to clear the bugs pretty quickly.”