NEW YORK — More than 24 hours after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan, a citywide manhunt continues for his killer.
Detectives are combing by means of his electronics to see if he confronted any threats, they usually say the gunman might have dropped very important clues.
CBS News has confirmed legislation enforcement officers say the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” were written on shell casings that have been recovered on the scene. Officials say they’re analyzing whether or not the phrases level to a motive, presumably associated to insurance coverage corporations’ responses to claims.
Video exhibits brazen capturing exterior Hilton Midtown
Surveillance video captured the brazen and focused assault early Wednesday morning.
A masked shooter utilizing a silencer approached Thompson from behind and shot him within the again and the leg. The weapon appeared to jam, however the suspect cleared it and saved capturing.
The gunman then jogged throughout the road, in plain view of witnesses.
“I used to be taking a look at my cellphone, then I hear the shot. And once I appeared, the man was with a gun, like a silent gun,” one witness mentioned.
Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two, was heading to the Hilton Midtown to handle buyers at a UnitedHealthcare convention.
The NYPD is now working with authorities in Minnesota, where he is from, to establish any particular threats towards him. Police sources say detectives uncovered rantings directed on the firm, however no threats to his private security.
“Many folks handed the suspect, however he appeared to attend for his supposed goal,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference Wednesday. “Every indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned, focused assault.”
Manhunt leads police to Central Park
CBS News New York
From the Hilton, investigators imagine the suspect hopped on a bike and rode to Central Park. Video obtained by CBS News seems to point out him leaving the park on West eighty fifth Street about quarter-hour after the capturing.
“What we’re taking a look at is a gunman who was considerate and ready, staked out the scene, started by capturing the particular person within the again,” mentioned CBS News legislation enforcement contributor Richard Esposito, a former NYPD deputy commissioner.
Police mentioned the suspect deliberate rigorously, however not completely. He went to a close-by Starbucks earlier than the capturing, the place sources say surveillance photographs might have captured sufficient of his face to run by means of facial recognition.
“The full investigative efforts of the New York City Police Department are nicely underway, and we is not going to relaxation till we establish and apprehend the shooter on this case,” Tisch mentioned.
Police sources say investigators are operating forensic exams on a water bottle and sweet bar wrapper they imagine the suspect left on the Starbucks, in addition to a discarded cellphone discovered close to the scene.
A legislation enforcement supply mentioned he paid with money at 6:17 a.m., roughly half-hour earlier than the capturing.
“A beautiful particular person with an enormous coronary heart”
Thompson arrived within the metropolis Monday from Minnesota and was scheduled to handle buyers on the firm’s annual investor relations convention. Top executives shortly canceled the shareholders assembly.
“The firm is simply distraught, his colleagues are distraught,” mentioned Taylor Smith, who was staying on the Hilton.
Investigators are actually probing each side of Thompson’s life to attempt to discover a motive.
“They’re going to take a look at the enterprise finish, you might have an organization that is laid folks off. They’re going to take a look at the non-public tales, and they are going to concentrate on letters, determined individuals who have been denied care or exams or one thing that might’ve saved a life or who blame the corporate,” Former NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence and Counterterrorism John Miller mentioned.
The 50-year-old was married with two sons. His spouse, Paulette, spoke in regards to the household’s loss.
“Brian was a beautiful particular person with an enormous coronary heart and who lived life to the fullest,” she mentioned. “He shall be significantly missed by all people. Our hearts are damaged and we’re fully devastated by this information.”
The NYPD is providing a $10,000 reward within the case, asking the general public to name the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. You may submit a tip via their website. All calls are saved confidential.
contributed to this report.
