Police have issued two new images of a suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was killed in New York City on Wednesday. Thompson, 50, was shot in the back as he walked to a conference in Midtown Manhattan, in what authorities believe was a targeted attack.
On Saturday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated that “the net is tightening” around the gunman, who has so far evaded capture despite an extensive manhunt and the use of facial recognition technology. The FBI has also joined the search, offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.
The newly released images show the suspect in two different locations. In one, he is seen in the back of a taxi wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a disposable face mask. In the second image, he is outside the vehicle, again with a face mask. These images were captured by surveillance cameras as part of the ongoing investigation.
The investigation has uncovered new details about the suspect. According to US media reports, a backpack believed to belong to the gunman was found near the crime scene. Inside the bag, authorities discovered a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and paper money from the board game Monopoly. It remains unclear how these items are connected to the crime.
Thompson, a father of two, was on his way to an investor conference when he was shot. He was scheduled to speak at the event later that day. After the shooting, the suspect fled the scene on foot, before riding a bicycle toward Central Park. Authorities have yet to determine the exact motive behind the killing, but they have noted that bullet casings found near the victim contained the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose.” These words have been associated with critics of the US private health insurance industry, leading investigators to consider possible motives tied to Thompson’s leadership at UnitedHealthcare.
On Friday, a source familiar with the case told CBS News that investigators believe the suspect may have left New York City and could be heading to Atlanta, Georgia. This new lead has prompted authorities to expand their search beyond the city.
The investigation continues, with police and the FBI urging anyone with information to come forward. The public’s assistance remains crucial in bringing the suspect to justice.
