Police: UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting a 'brazen, targeted attack'

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot Wednesday in New York City outside the hotel where UnitedHealth Group was holding its annual investor conference.

Thompson, 50, was shot in the back and the leg outside the New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan at around 6:40 a.m. He was taken to Mount Sinai West hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m. 

No suspect is in custody and no motive is known. The suspect was described as a light-skinned male wearing a distinctive backpack. Jessica Tisch, commissioner of the New York City Police Department, said the shooting "appears to be a brazen, targeted attack."

In a late morning news conference, police officials said surveillance footage showed the suspect waiting by the hotel for several minutes before Thompson approached the building, after which the suspect approached him from behind and began shooting. His gun appeared to jam, and after it was unjammed, he continued to fire.

The shooter fled on foot and then got on an e-bike. He was last seen in Central Park. A cellphone was recovered at the scene.

Reporters asked Joe Kenny, chief of detectives, whether Thompson had been the subject of any professional or personal threats.

“We’re looking at everything," Kenny said. "We’re looking at his social media. We are interviewing employees. We are interviewing family members. We will be speaking to law enforcement in Minnesota."

Kenny said Thompson did not have a security detail. He arrived in New York City Monday.

Police announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information on the killing.

In a phone call with NBC News, Paulette Thompson, his wife, said her husband had received threats.

“There had been some threats,” she told NBC News. “Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.”

UnitedHealth Group had been presenting its financial outlook for 2025 to analysts and institutional investors when UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty took to the stage and cut off a presentation by Optum CEO Heather Cianfrocco.

“I’m afraid…we’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members, and as a result, I’m afraid we’re going to have to bring this to a close,” Witty said before ending the conference around 9:10 a.m. 

“We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare," UnitedHealth Group said in a news release posted on its website. "Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”

Thompson’s biography was removed from the company's leadership webpage by midday.

Thompson climbed the ranks at UnitedHealthcare during his more than 20 years with the healthcare company. Most recently, he led the insurance division as CEO, a role he held for three years, overseeing about 140,000 employees worldwide. UnitedHealth Group's two key segments are its UnitedHealthcare health insurance division and its Optum healthcare services unit.

UnitedHealthcare is an insurance powerhouse. The company provides commercial, Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplement and Medicaid coverage to nearly 50.7 million people, according to the company’s third-quarter financial results.

He previously served as CEO of the unit’s government programs division, which includes Medicare and Medicaid, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also served as chief financial officer for UnitedHealthcare’s various segments, including Medicare and retirement, employer and individual insurance, and community and state, according to his profile.

Thompson began his career at UnitedHealth Group in 2004 as director of its corporate development team overseeing mergers and acquisitions. 

The healthcare industry is reeling from the news. 

During the third quarter, UnitedHealthcare generated $74.9 billion in revenues, up 7.2% from the prior year period. Earnings from operations slipped 8.7% to $4.2 billion compared with last year. 

The company’s commercial and Medicare Advantage membership have grown year-over year while Medicaid membership has slipped. UnitedHealthcare is one of the largest commercial insurers with 29.7 million members and the largest Medicare Advantage carrier with 7.8 million members.