NYPD have released two images of an unmasked individual sought for questioning in connection with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The 50-year-old healthcare executive was fatally shot outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan on December 4, 2024, just hours before he was set to address an investor conference. The police are using facial recognition technology and reviewing other evidence to help identify the individual responsible.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. 

The NYPD has released two images of an unmasked individual wanted for questioning in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Thompson, 50, was fatally shot outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan on December 4, 2024, just hours before he was scheduled to address an investor conference. The NYPD is utilizing facial recognition technology and reviewing additional evidence to identify the suspect responsible for this tragic crime.

The Search for the Shooter

The shooting occurred at approximately 6:45 a.m. EST near Times Square, a bustling area of Manhattan. Thompson was struck in the back and leg by the assailant, who fled the scene without taking any of the victim’s belongings. Law enforcement believes Thompson was deliberately targeted in a premeditated attack, though the motive remains unclear.

In the aftermath of the shooting, the NYPD has been working tirelessly to identify the suspect, releasing images of a person of interest on Thursday. These images show an unmasked individual believed to have checked into a local hostel using fraudulent identification. Authorities suspect the individual traveled from Atlanta to New York in the days before the incident.

Facial Recognition Technology and Bullet Casings Provide Clues

Investigators are utilizing various investigative tools to piece together the events leading up to the murder. Facial recognition technology is being used in an attempt to identify the suspect, while police are also analyzing three bullet casings and live rounds found at the scene. The casings were inscribed with strange words such as “deny,” “defend,” and “depose,” which investigators believe may relate to the “three D’s of insurance” — a term used by critics of the industry to describe tactics employed by insurance companies to deny claims. This connection has raised further questions regarding the suspect’s potential motives.

The inscriptions bear a striking resemblance to the title of the 2010 book Delay, Deny, Defend by legal expert Jay Feinman. However, Feinman, when approached for comment, declined to speak on the matter.

The Weapon and Escape

The weapon used in the attack appeared to be a BT Station Six 9 pistol, which law enforcement believes may have ties to World War II-era special operations forces. Reports indicate that police have visited gun retailers in Connecticut to trace the weapon’s origins. Furthermore, surveillance footage captured the suspect fleeing the scene on foot, with initial reports suggesting the use of a Citi Bike. However, Lyft, which operates Citi Bike, later clarified that no company bike was involved in the crime.

As investigators continue to pursue leads, a mobile phone found along the suspect’s escape route is currently being examined, with hopes of uncovering crucial information. Authorities are also analyzing a coffee cup believed to have been discarded by the suspect during the flight, hoping that fingerprint analysis may provide further clues.

Search Efforts Expand

The investigation has expanded beyond the crime scene, with a search warrant executed at a site in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, where the suspect was observed earlier that day. The location is near the Frederick Douglass housing project, where police have reviewed surveillance footage showing the suspect at around 5:00 a.m. The NYPD has also secured a search warrant for Thompson’s room at a nearby Marriott hotel, located just down the street from the Hilton.

The Life and Legacy of Brian Thompson: A Targeted Attack on a Healthcare Leader

Brian Thompson’s sudden death has sent shockwaves through the healthcare and business communities. Thompson had been with UnitedHealth since 2004 and became CEO in 2021, leading the company through several profitable years. In an interview, Thompson’s wife, Paulette, revealed that her husband had previously received threats, though she did not provide details on the nature of those threats.

NYPD has characterized the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as a “brazen, targeted attack” and emphasized that it does not appear to have been a random act of violence. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that the investigation is focused on identifying the suspect, and every indication suggests that this was a premeditated and preplanned crime.

Brian Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, a position he assumed in April 2021. He had been with the company since 2004, initially joining the organization after leaving PricewaterhouseCoopers. Before becoming CEO, Thompson led UnitedHealthcare’s government programs division, overseeing Medicare & Retirement and Community & State. Under his leadership, UnitedHealthcare experienced significant growth and success. Thompson was known for his extensive experience in the healthcare and insurance sectors, making him a key figure in the industry.

Authorities have been analyzing various pieces of evidence, including surveillance footage, bullet casings with peculiar inscriptions, and other forensic materials. The NYPD is also offering a reward for information and has made efforts to track the suspect’s movements using facial recognition technology.