NY - UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in Midtown. #2

[MassGuy]

He may have lifted the phone from a roommate in the hostel to drop on purpose.

Apparently they not only don’t believe the phone was a decoy, but wasn’t a burner either; they believe it’s actually his phone.

Dropping someone else’s phone doesn’t achieve anything. There are countless investigators working all angles, and it wouldn’t slow them down any.

It would also risk leaving behind his own DNA and fingerprints. It appears that’s exactly what happened.

 

[Universecalling]

It's vague, but the NYT says he arrived on the 24th, checked into the hostel on the Upper West Side after that (unclear what day), checked out on the 29th, and checked back in the next day.

So presumably, he spent at least one night elsewhere.

Thanks! But what about BT?

 

[MassGuy]

@MassGuy I think John Miller is coming up on CNN with more info

He is. Sounds really interesting. I think he’s going to say the reason the suspect isn’t wearing a mask, is that the desk was checking to make sure he matched his ID. They teased an explanation.

ETA: I was wrong. The correct answer was "flirting."

 

[taylorss]

The fact that he's got his head & face all wrapped up but then isn't wearing gloves is yet another perplexing, contradictory point.
Moo

 

[MassGuy]

Thanks! But what about BT?

Monday at some point. So a week later.

 

[soap mama]

Yes, but if they are about different people, it would take a lot of time to sort through them. MOO.

I think we're saying the same thing.
IF he was a student and his classmates and professors all reported the same guy, LE would taken notice.
Different tips about different people is not what I'm talking about.
Therefore, I'm not thinking he is a university student.

 

[CrimeDawg123]

So he travelled to NYC from Atlanta on a bus. Where did he get the e-bike?

 

[azure]

Apparently they not only don’t believe the phone was a decoy, but wasn’t a burner either; they believe it’s actually his phone.

Dropping someone else’s phone doesn’t achieve anything. There are countless investigators working all angles, and it wouldn’t slow them down any.

It would also risk leaving behind his own DNA and fingerprints. It appears that’s exactly what happened.

The plan he was on, assuming the phone had a cellular plan, would instantly tell LE what country he's from. (I do think he was on a plan if he made a call shortly before the murder.)

You could see the cell service provider on the Lock Screen if it's a smartphone.

 

[BackInNewMexico]

This video seems to show him dropping something in a pile of rubbish?

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[DizzyB]

If the bullets did not have words on them, I might feel differently about the chosen target. He murdered the person he wanted to.

How long for fast tracked DNA, without an actual suspect they are matching against? And for those that lament the fact that murders of private citizens are not handled like this-until this is solved, you have to go on the assumption that many many people may also be targets.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Lots of good info there:

He had been in New York City for approximately 10 days prior to the shooting,

They believe the cell phone belonged to him and was not a decoy, and was NOT a burner.

He came from out of state, from somewhere south on the 24th.

They have been "flooded with tips."

One of their main goals is finding a surveillance image where his face is entirely unobscured, as the difficulty was that this guy was "extremely camera savvy."

Hope this nets something...
I actually feel we have learned little in the last 24 hours, so hope it does start rolling out now...

 

[RobSA]

I thought about that and the water bottle too. But I probably watch a bit too much telly.

Yeah I had a theory about him going to that Starbuck's in the days prior and waiting for somebody that looked similar to him and grabbing his discarded trash to leave at the scene.

But usually the truth is these guys are just careless.

 

[BackInNewMexico]

So he travelled to NYC from Atlanta on a bus. Where did he get the e-bike?

CNN reporting live now the bus was going from Atlanta to NYC but it is not yet known where he got on the bus along the route

 

[eloquence]

Odd that he checked OUT of the hostel Nov 29 and then back in on Nov 30.

It raises the question: what were his movements on Nov 29 and where did he stay that night (Black Friday)? Also, was he with someone else that night? If they are able to get into the phone that was left behind, it will be interesting to see if it reveals anything that might address those questions.

Did he initially plan to shoot the victim on Nov 29, but for some reason that plan could not be carried out, so was replanned for Dec 4 (perhaps with a few days for solidifying the planning)?

I have read online they also raided a house in the 90s (also Upper West Side) in addition to the hostel. Maybe he stayed there one night? I'd love to know what the connection is there...

 

[ElizaKate]

Apparently they not only don’t believe the phone was a decoy, but wasn’t a burner either; they believe it’s actually his phone.
<SBM>

They are "examining the possibility that a cell phone left near the scene of the shooting did belong to the gunman and was not a decoy, nor a so-called burner phone, according to a person with knowledge of the investigation. The police have not yet gained access to the device."

Suspect in Killing of Insurance C.E.O. Is Said to Have Used Fake New Jersey ID

Investigators released pictures showing the face of the man they believe killed Brian Thompson outside a Midtown hotel. They said the words “delay” and “deny” were written on bullet casings collected at the murder scene.

www.nytimes.com

 

[ElizaKate]

I have read online they also raided a house in the 90s (also Upper West Side) in addition to the hostel. Maybe he stayed there one night? I'd love to know what the connection is there...

Well remembered!

 

[schooling]

"Somewhere South of the city" (newspaper edited it not me)
View attachment 549454

I had a friend marveling over this story. He was convinced that this guy was John Wick and had covered all of his tracks.

It's related. I promise
But then I told him the backstory about our mutual friend's brother's incarceration (still with me?). Wiped out a jewelry store overnight. LE was stumped. They diligently combed over video in the months prior of the store and surrounding neighborhood. And was able to eventually match on eye brows and build. Which opened up flood gates in other areas and led to discoveries outside of the 'perfect' scene and escape. Ultimately leading to his conviction.

I had a feeling that as methodical as this person was in committing the crime and escaping, their trip in and any canvassing they did was probably not as well thought out (reminds me of a Idaho case).

I mean, from everyting we've learned (MOO) from being true crime obsessed professional mob hitman scratch off serial numbers from generic popular guns and file down barrels as to not leave identifying marks. This guy goes out and buys one of the most unique guns out there. And demonstrates it's uniqueness (by cocking it) in front of the cameras. Which likely only required a quick google search of distributors. JMO.

And then reportedly (unless this is outdated by now) he checks into a hostel using a fake ID...but with his face fully exposed? I understand booking under a fake name and presenting a fake while masked up at check in. So he was preparing that LE might pursue him that far. But if they have your face they'll have your name. It's bewildering. JMO

Maybe he's relying on what @MassGuy said. Even though they have all of this evidence they still need to put him at the crime scene as masked up guy during or after the murders.

All MOO

 

[MassGuy]

John Miller:

He's on a bus that originates in Atlanta, but haven't established when he got on that bus. So Atlanta may not have been his starting point. It'll come together.

Gets here around the 24th, which puts him here a lot longer than previously believed. Checked into that hostel. Chats with clerk at the desk (flirty) she asked to see his face. That yielded the most significant clue to identify him.

Checks out of hostel and checks back in a day or two later. Don't know where he was on that odd day away. Goes to Hilton way before night of murder. Knows about the conference obviously.

Mask everywhere. Went to Mcdonalds. It's all about finding that weak moment where he takes down hood and mask. Haven't found that yet.

 

[BUF]

He is. Sounds really interesting. I think he’s going to say the reason the suspect isn’t wearing a mask, is that the desk was checking to make sure he matched his ID. They teased an explanation.

He was flirting with girl at the front desk,that’s where the smile without mask came from

 

[Universecalling]

Monday at some point. So a week later.

And they never said he stayed at the same hotel? Only that he arrived on Monday. As in arrived at lux on Monday or arrived to nyc on Monday….?