New York, NY — Investigators have uncovered new clues in the search for the masked gunman who fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a shocking daylight attack in Manhattan earlier this week. Among the latest developments are leads about the gunman’s travel to New York City prior to the shooting and cryptic messages found scrawled on ammunition left at the crime scene.
The chilling messages—“deny,” “defend,” and “depose”—were discovered on 9 mm bullets recovered at the scene of the crime. Law enforcement officials believe these words, written in permanent marker, echo a phrase frequently used by critics of the insurance industry to describe tactics employed by insurers to deny or delay claims. The slogan “delay, deny, defend” has often been used to criticize practices that some say prioritize corporate profits over patient care.
Brian Thompson, 53, was gunned down as he walked from his hotel to the UnitedHealthcare investor conference in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning. He was ambushed near the Hilton Hotel, in what authorities are describing as a targeted attack. Thompson, who kept a relatively low profile despite leading one of the nation’s largest health insurers, had recently been the subject of criticism over UnitedHealthcare’s role in healthcare claim denials.
Possible Leads and New Evidence
Law enforcement officials have now suggested that the gunman may have traveled to New York from Atlanta in late November, using a Greyhound bus. Investigators have been working with the bus company to determine whether the suspect purchased a ticket from Atlanta, potentially providing insight into the attacker’s movements and identity.
Police and federal agents have also released new photos of a man wanted for questioning in connection with the killing. The images show a man smiling in the lobby of a hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, where he is believed to have stayed under a false identity. A fake New Jersey ID card was reportedly used to check in at the HI New York City hostel. Hostel staff recalled a man who often wore a mask, even indoors, and a jacket similar to that worn by the suspect seen in surveillance footage taken before the attack.
Assistant Commissioner Carlos Nieves emphasized that investigators are “following up on every single tip that comes in.” Police have also obtained surveillance footage from a Starbucks that shows the suspect purchasing a water bottle and protein bar shortly before the shooting. These items, along with a cellphone found near a pedestrian plaza where the gunman fled, are being analyzed by the city’s crime lab for DNA and fingerprints.
A Targeted Attack Amid Industry Scrutiny
The killing of Brian Thompson has sent shockwaves through the business and healthcare communities. As CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Thompson was responsible for overseeing healthcare coverage for over 49 million Americans. The insurer had recently come under fire, along with other major healthcare companies, following a Senate report that criticized its increased denial rates for prior authorizations under Medicare Advantage.
Thompson’s widow, Paulette, revealed to NBC News that her husband had mentioned receiving threats related to issues involving insurance coverage. She did not elaborate further but suggested these threats may have been connected to the company’s handling of patient claims. Police are now working to determine if the threats could be linked to the gunman.
The messages found on the ammunition—“deny,” “defend,” and “depose”—have fueled speculation that the attack was related to Thompson’s work in the healthcare industry. Critics of major health insurers have long decried tactics used by companies like UnitedHealthcare, accusing them of delaying or denying claims to maximize profits at the expense of patients’ wellbeing.
Ongoing Investigation
The New York Police Department and federal agents have launched an extensive investigation to identify and locate the suspect, described as a man wearing a black mask and black-and-white sneakers at the time of the shooting. Footage from security cameras shows the gunman approaching Thompson from behind and firing several shots before fleeing on a bicycle, which authorities believe may have been pre-positioned as part of an escape plan.
The suspect was last seen riding into Central Park, and police are combing through video footage from the area in hopes of identifying a clear escape route. Investigators are also working to determine if the gunman had any training in firearms, given the proficiency displayed during the attack, including the ability to clear a gun jam before continuing to fire.
The images of the man released by the police show him without a mask in a hostel lobby, providing one of the few glimpses of his unmasked face. The NYPD is urging anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information about his whereabouts to come forward, emphasizing the urgency of apprehending the individual responsible for the high-profile killing.
Community and Industry Reaction
The killing has left New Yorkers stunned, especially given the targeted nature of the attack and its occurrence in a busy area of Manhattan. The healthcare industry has also been left reeling from Thompson’s sudden and violent death, as colleagues and industry leaders remember him for his dedication to expanding access to healthcare services.
UnitedHealth Group, UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, canceled the remainder of its investor conference in the wake of the tragedy and has expressed deep condolences to Thompson’s family. In a statement, the company called Thompson “an exceptional leader and advocate for better healthcare,” while also urging anyone with information to assist the authorities in their investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing, and with the release of new surveillance images, law enforcement officials are hopeful that someone may recognize the suspect and provide the lead that ties all the clues together. For now, the hunt continues for the gunman, who remains at large, as police work around the clock to bring justice to Brian Thompson and his grieving family.
Sources:
- AP News. “New Clues in Hunt for Masked Gunman Who Killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.” Link
- Statements from Assistant Commissioner Carlos Nieves, December 2024.
- Comments from Paulette Thompson regarding threats against Brian Thompson, NBC News, December 2024.
