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

[STLBlues]

Still pretty amateurish for a hitman. And you'd think a professional would know that Starbucks has surveillance cameras. He took off his mask to drink his drink, and he's grinning. I don't think the nose is a fake prosthetic.

The photos without the mask are from the hostel, not from Starbucks.

 

[CrimeDawg123]

The ID was used to check in on Nov. 30 — what was the suspect doing in NYC during those 4 days before the shooting? Was he conducting surveillance or scouting entry/exit routes?

Seeing a show, no doubt!

 

[MinnesotaMary]

I wonder if he flew out of the USA fast, and 'went back home', to some country that won't extradite him...

 

[Charlot123]

If their estate is worth tens of millions, all the more reason for a divorce to take longer. The more assets you have together and individually the more complicated the divorce.

The younger teen as a minor also complicates things. It is possible they did not want to divorce until both kids were adults. Also not unusual.

The only divorces that move quickly are those where there are very little to no shared assets and no children. Mine took about 4 months for that reason.

If he was receiving threats and communicating this with his wife, all the better that they were separated at the time anyways. The wife and son could have been targeted otherwise.

I think of course the wife has to be looked at, I’m sure a possible murder for hire isn’t off the table. But we’ll have to wait for more info to see if there is any connection.

I don't think it is the wife. Much as she might be the main benefactress, something makes me doubt. I think they were able to communicate and make a plan that would benefit both. Plus, she is obviously a good mom, and the boys do need their dad.

I don't know if the victim were planning to start a relationship, and if someone was unhappy with that. Quite possible. But for some reason, I don't feel it is the wife.

 

[MassGuy]

Ok, so the question remains. Why Manhattan and not Minnesota?

To send a message and generate maximum publicity.

 

[Friday Fan]

I wonder if he flew out of the USA fast, and 'went back home', to some country that won't extradite him...

This guy is homegrown....MOO

Too many disgruntled Americans. Don't need to go overseas for this.

 

[getthefax]

Ok, so the question remains. Why Manhattan and not Minnesota?

Ros Atkins on… How the New York shooting unfolded

Our Analysis Editor Ros Atkins with BBC Verify has been looking at the gunman’s movements and what we know about how the shooting unfolded.

www.bbc.com

 

[alsleuther]

Ok, so the question remains. Why Manhattan and not Minnesota?

I don't know! It's a mystery, but for $24.95/month you can track all the corporate jet travel that the UH jet made over the last few months

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I wonder what the other hit destination options were?!

Again, even if we could see this we just know some important employee is flying, we don't know if it's him or the CFO or BOD members. Which leads me back to my theory that the hitman had to have insider info on where Brian was staying and what path and what time he would be walking to the conference that morning.

 

[citygirl]

Been quietly following. Incredibly sad. Much thanks for all the informed posts.
You guys are the bestest.
IMO

 

[setyourselffree]

Still pretty amateurish for a hitman. And you'd think a professional would know that Starbucks has surveillance cameras. He took off his mask to drink his drink, and he's grinning. I don't think the nose is a fake prosthetic.

What if we're actually talking about three different people now? Maybe they're triplets. I kid, I kid...

I was saying earlier, for there to be differences in jacket/bag, and to have planned that in advance, but not to avoid Starbucks is wild to me. I mean, he didn't even get a coffee. That is just bizarre to me.

 

[floridafreshsqueez]

I live in a place with Universal health … it’s not free. Taxes are really high on employed people, employers pay a lot too which makes challenge for small businesses. The healthcare some v good, some bad. Patients don’t have choices, long waits, can’t choose surgeon or hospital etc etc. For example, I lived in an area where there were no dermatologists (cancer), no psychiatrists, no “therapy”! There were also no private doctors if you wanted to self pay.
Many Americans think it’s terrible system because there’s no patient choice, and think it’s free …. It’s not free if you work - it’s your taxes.
MDs are on a government type salary, not fabulously wealthy unless they also do private business.
There will be people here murderously angry about medical care.

Correct. Health insurance requires you to pay a premium and a deductible only to have your claims denied based on total BS.

There are income caps on plans designed for “low income” individuals, so you can’t make “too much” or you won’t qualify. But you can’t typically afford the better options either unless your employer pays a significant amount of the premium for a GOOD plan (which is arbitrary depending on the insurance company).

Then there are copays and the amount owed after the deductible is paid. If you want a low deductible, expect a high premium. And vice versa.

Affordable health insurance that actually covers the costs associated with medical care without putting someone in medical debt is basically non-existent. anyone’s best bet in this country is to have enough of a high paying job to offset the costs that insurance won’t cover.

I don’t believe health insurance will get better anytime soon, either. It’s not a stretch to imagine that the shooter lost someone close to them or has a loved one suffering because of a denied claim.

Obviously I can’t condone the actions of the shooter, it’s just not surprising at all to me that the CEO would be targeted for the reasons I mentioned. If the shooter is in their early 20’s to early 30’s, he fits the profile for a vigilante shooter that could have a treasure trove of manifestos. JMHO.

 

[Charlot123]

Easier to blend in?

Much.
I checked the immigrant groups in MN. If, indeed, he is ethnically a mix and stands out, diverse as MN is, the immigrant pool looks different (East Asians, Somalians). This kid might be remembered. Not in NY.

 

[comegetburnt]

I'm going to guess because the gunman is familiar with the area.

Makes most sense to me. This guy was taking the subway and riding a bike through Central Park as part of a plan to murder someone. Not things that are too hard to figure out to someone unfamilar, especially given he seemingly had a few days to plan, but given the pressure of the situation I'd be a little surprised if its not someone familiar with the city.

 

[armchairagatha]

I'm going to guess because the gunman is familiar with the area.

You mean a local or a foreign backpacker maybe? Tourist? Student?

 

[justtrish]

I wonder if he flew out of the USA fast, and 'went back home', to some country that won't extradite him...

I would hope the people at the hostel would know if he had an accent. If he was leaving the US to go "back home", I would think he'd have some type of accent. Those that live here and are citizens can also have an accent, but if he isn't from here, then he surely would have one.

 

[CrimeDawg123]

You mean a local or a foreign backpacker maybe? Tourist? Student?

I mean, for example, from New Jersey.

 

[LinasK]

What if we're actually talking about three different people now? Maybe they're triplets. I kid, I kid...

I was saying earlier, for there to be differences in jacket/bag, and to have planned that in advance, but not to avoid Starbucks is wild to me. I mean, he didn't even get a coffee. That is just bizarre to me.

Starbucks sells many things besides coffee- tea, water, smoothies, breakfast foods, pastries, sandwiches... You can tell we frequent them often.

 

[Baby baby Jane]

Ok, so the question remains. Why Manhattan and not Minnesota?

Maybe tried in Minnesota … but unfamiliar area, can’t get close, lurking strangers are more obvious? Getaway challenging ? NYC chaos all the time, millions people & can make getaway on a bicycle!!!

 

[Charlot123]

This guy is homegrown....MOO

Too many disgruntled Americans. Don't need to go overseas for this.

I think he is homegrown. For one, I bet he doesn't have a pronounced accent. For two, he is flexible (this is why i wonder about his ethnicity) and has an interesting walk, but if 6'1" is to be believed, he is "US-fed".

 

[setyourselffree]

Starbucks sells many things besides coffee- tea, water, smoothies, breakfast foods, pastries, sandwiches... You can tell we frequent them often.

Oh, of course - my point is that he clearly could have grabbed a water and energy bars from a bodega or just... not done that at all. But he knowingly was filmed at a popular coffee shop while purchasing items you can easily get other places. Starting to feel pretty narcissistic - wants to be seen, but not caught.