New York City police are employing facial recognition technology and a discarded mobile phone as part of their investigation into the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The 50-year-old executive was shot in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning and later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Thompson was gunned down outside the Hilton hotel around 6:45 AM EST, just hours before he was scheduled to speak at an investor conference. The gunman, wearing a black face mask and a light-colored jacket, fired at Thompson from behind, striking him in the back and leg. The attacker then fled on foot, leaving the victim’s belongings untouched, leading authorities to believe the killing was premeditated.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has revealed that the shooter initially struggled with his weapon when it appeared to jam, but was able to fix it and continue the attack. Surveillance footage shows the gunman equipped with a suppressor, or silencer, on his pistol. Despite initial reports claiming the suspect used an electric Citi Bike to flee, Lyft, which owns the bike-sharing service, later confirmed with the NYPD that no bikes were involved in the escape.
Investigators have focused on a few critical clues, including a surveillance image from a nearby Starbucks, where the suspect was photographed just minutes before the shooting. Although the gunman wore a mask, police noted that his eyes and part of his nose were visible. This has led them to use facial recognition software to identify him. Authorities are also examining bullet casings and live rounds recovered from the scene for DNA evidence. In addition, a mobile phone was discovered in an alley along the suspect’s escape route, and police are actively analyzing its contents.
The motive for the murder remains unclear. Thompson’s wife mentioned that her husband had received threats prior to the attack, although she did not provide further details. A 2018 incident in Thompson’s hometown of Maple Grove, Minnesota, had raised suspicions but was later deemed non-criminal by local authorities.
Thompson had been with UnitedHealthcare since 2004, joining as an executive from PricewaterhouseCoopers, and rose to CEO in 2021. Under his leadership, the company saw significant profitability. Investigators are continuing to piece together evidence, and the search for the suspect remains ongoing.
