NY - UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in Midtown. #3

[no nonsense]

UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting latest: Authorities believe suspect is no longer in New York City

The unidentified man suspected of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel remains at large after Wednesday's attack.

abcnews.go.com

View attachment 549755

see post #1116. Great minds……

 

[ElizaKate]

I think he was seen pedaling the bike after he exited the park (rather than relying on battery power?) in the video of him rounding the corner past the garbage truck, sans backpack. Maybe he tossed the battery then too? MOO

He's barely pedalling it... Although he does seem to be almost coming to a halt in that video. It is surmised that he ditched the bike on that road or very close to as it was seen on the next street up walking.

 

[whitelilac]

4 min ago

Backpack was removed by an excavator as investigators carefully sift through evidence, source says​

From CNN's Mark Morales
Investigators are treating a backpack found in New York City’s Central Park like a dead body, being very careful not to damage any potential evidence, a law enforcement official told CNN.

The backpack was removed by an excavator along with any physical material found surrounding it, the source said. No officers picked it up to preserve potential DNA evidence tied to the backpack or even the dirt on the ground surrounding it.

Forensic investigators at a police lab in Queens will go through the contents of the bag slowly and deliberately and should have everything out of it by tomorrow. They will examine not only the contents of the bag but the bag itself, which may have sweat or other evidence of the shooter, the source said.

While this is happening, investigators are still searching for the suspect’s name. They believe he traveled to the city by bus and are in the process of ruling out a tip that the shooter left by plane.

Police have different leads and are currently going through them all. In addition to video canvassing, they are requesting bus manifests to see if there could be any identifying clues.

They have also reached out to the security team of UnitedHealthcare to get their complied person of interest list, looking for people that have been publicly vocal with complaints against the company, according to the source. They are asking about anyone who has used any vitriolic language and made threats, either on social media or through attendance at public demonstrations.

https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/brian-thompson-unitedhealthcare-news-12-6-24/index.html?t=1733532361082

interesting "in the process of ruling out a tip that the shooter left by plane..."

 

[JennieM]

He's barely pedalling it... Although he does seem to be almost coming to a halt in that video. It is surmised that he ditched the bike on that road or very close to as it was seen on the next street up walking.

He looks so young here.

 

[eloquence]

This is mostly really easy.
All he would have needed to do to be invited to the investor meeting, and receive the agenda, etc., was buy some shares in one of the companies, and voilá!
He or someone he knows or hires would have been an invitee.

They may not have had travel specifics, but would have known which day and at what time he’d have been speaking that day…

This was an investor conference, not a meeting for all investors. Only their very large institutional investors (who CEO and IR team would know very well) are invited; the public watches online.

UHC's all-investor meeting (annual general meeting or AGM) is 100% virtual. Common practice post covid

I plan these at a different company and it is very intentional that the general public is not in the same room as the CEO. Not only for violence but environmental and political (i.e. war or middle east conflict related) protesters are VERY common and interrupt events frequently.

 

[Big Ears]

"The suspect had fled to the park on an e-bike after murdering Thompson, while wearing the large grey backpack. He was later seen in surveillance footage leaving the west of the park without the bag. Investigators have been scouring the area for the bag for days, searching the park's trash cans, storm drains and even storage lockers. It was finally found today, during a second sweep of the park, between boulders, just to the south of the park's carousel." Source: Newsweek Police find backpack suspected to belong to UnitedHealthcare CEO gunman

 

[Herat]

4 min ago

Backpack was removed by an excavator as investigators carefully sift through evidence, source says​

From CNN's Mark Morales
Investigators are treating a backpack found in New York City’s Central Park like a dead body, being very careful not to damage any potential evidence, a law enforcement official told CNN.

The backpack was removed by an excavator along with any physical material found surrounding it, the source said. No officers picked it up to preserve potential DNA evidence tied to the backpack or even the dirt on the ground surrounding it.

Forensic investigators at a police lab in Queens will go through the contents of the bag slowly and deliberately and should have everything out of it by tomorrow. They will examine not only the contents of the bag but the bag itself, which may have sweat or other evidence of the shooter, the source said.

While this is happening, investigators are still searching for the suspect’s name. They believe he traveled to the city by bus and are in the process of ruling out a tip that the shooter left by plane.

Police have different leads and are currently going through them all. In addition to video canvassing, they are requesting bus manifests to see if there could be any identifying clues.

They have also reached out to the security team of UnitedHealthcare to get their complied person of interest list, looking for people that have been publicly vocal with complaints against the company, according to the source. They are asking about anyone who has used any vitriolic language and made threats, either on social media or through attendance at public demonstrations.

https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/brian-thompson-unitedhealthcare-news-12-6-24/index.html?t=1733532361082

Probably also didn't want LE to touch it in case it was booby-trapped with an explosive device.

 

[Oceans1111]

If I were writing the crime novel version:
-This is tied to the 2/12/24 infiltration of Change Healthcare by ALPHV/Blackcat in which Change Healthcare/UnitedHealth “recognized” the breach on 2/21/24.
-On 2/20/24, Brian Thompson submits Edgar filing related to a $15+ million sale purportedly on 2/16/24.
-On 2/26/24, WSJ reports DOJ ongoing anti-trust investigation into UnitedHealth which allegedly triggers the stock drop and the subsequent insider trading lawsuits; however important to note two things: the scope of the data breach is probably becoming more known internally at UnitedHealth and whispers of that alone could have triggered a stock drop (ie even if WSJ DOJ report had not come out); and not specifically mentioned in the WSJ article was the fact that part of the DOJ investigation was actually a revisit of whether UnitedHealth ever put in the firewalls between its companies (ie Change, Optum, UnitedHealthCare) that it promised to a judge that it would do when judge ruled in favor of United in a 2022 DOJ anti-trust suit at the time of its acquisition of Change Healthcare.
-Sometime in late February, someone at (or some entity connected to) UnitedHealth makes a $22 million ransomware bitcoin payment to ALPHV/Blackcat. ALPHV/Blackcat effectively renegs on promise after receipt of payment. A second darkweb entity RansomHub requests a second ransomware payment from UnitedHealth. UnitedHealth refuses.
-In late May, due to intense concern/probing from Congress, UnitedHealth admits that over 1/3 of all U.S. citizens healthcare data may have been breached in the attack. Not in all cases, but in some cases, this included the breach of CC and bank account payment info, insurance info, medical imaging records, test results, medicines prescribed, Dr case mgmt records, etc.
-In its quarter ending 9/30/24, UnitedHealth increases the expected financial cost of the breach to be $2.87 BILLION.
———-
(Other than speculating that Thompson’s February stock sale may have somehow been related to the underway data breach, all of the above info comes from either the DOJ/court records or - evenentually - by UnitedHeath)
————
(The following is speculative entirely speculative for the novel
————
-Shooter is from Europe and somehow connected to DarkWeb hackers involved in the breach (not a pro, but knowledgeable with weapons, govt data capture endpoints - eg cctv, facial recognition, id, etc).
-His entry point into the U.S. was through Atlanta where, in the suburban areas, there are a fair amount of European/Eastern European money laundering outfits.
-Shooter road bike from 104/Central Park West through the park, exited at either 59th or 60th, and ditched bike in its hideout spot.
-Knowing that police would be able to walk back every moment that he had spent in midtown/NYC streets, he walked to F train at Rockefeller Center 50th/6th and road it one stop to try to obfuscate (even just giving himself an extra few minutes of LE confusion) to 57th/6th stop to make it seem like he had come from downtown (or UES>Bronx).
-After killing Thompson, shooter enters Central Park heads towards west side but stays on West Drive (ie I think leaving park at 60th/CPW at Columbus circle is a red herring (or maybe media confusion of where he exited on his route to the shooting) as it doesn’t make any sense to exit there and then be back on almost constant CCTV (or CPW building cameras) for a portion of the route up to 77th/CPW.

 

[kamare]

I live in the Chicago area. Quite a few masks here this time of year. Mostly older people, but some young, too.

 

[Inthedetails]

Same with the water bottle, wrappers and phone. I've wondered about this. It's not just one item as though it's a mistake, but several.

Yeah, people are speculating the "dropped" items mean he isn't professional, while I think it means he's confident he won't get caught and doesn't care what LE finds after he's left the area.

I'm rooting for NYPD to find him and if he's in USA, I think they will.

jmo

 

[BUF]

Per CNN, Now NYPD is saying the killer may have used a noise suppressing veterinary gun

Wasn’t that discussed on here?

 

[acutename]

It looks like he did try to hide it a little, behind a short wall with leaves that have collected there.

windy in the northeast lately- it might have had leaves covering it and they shifted

 

[BackInNewMexico]

Per CNN, Now NYPD is saying the killer may have used a noise suppressing veterinary gun

Wasn’t that discussed on here?

Yeah I’m watching now and surprised they’re shocked? Thought this was well known too

 

[MassGuy]

Backpack was removed by an excavator as investigators carefully sift through evidence, source says​

From CNN's Mark Morales
Investigators are treating a backpack found in New York City’s Central Park like a dead body, being very careful not to damage any potential evidence, a law enforcement official told CNN.

The backpack was removed by an excavator along with any physical material found surrounding it, the source said. No officers picked it up to preserve potential DNA evidence tied to the backpack or even the dirt on the ground surrounding it.

Forensic investigators at a police lab in Queens will go through the contents of the bag slowly and deliberately and should have everything out of it by tomorrow. They will examine not only the contents of the bag but the bag itself, which may have sweat or other evidence of the shooter, the source said.

While this is happening, investigators are still searching for the suspect’s name. They believe he traveled to the city by bus and are in the process of ruling out a tip that the shooter left by plane.

Police have different leads and are currently going through them all. In addition to video canvassing, they are requesting bus manifests to see if there could be any identifying clues.

They have also reached out to the security team of UnitedHealthcare to get their complied person of interest list, looking for people that have been publicly vocal with complaints against the company, according to the source. They are asking about anyone who has used any vitriolic language and made threats, either on social media or through attendance at public demonstrations.

Most people on the list have already been dismissed through social media searches, the law enforcement source said. The rest are being looked into for any possible ties.

All the work being done is indicative of the massive undertaking this process is, the source said. The mandate is to continue to build a video timeline of every day the suspect was in the city. There is still no common area where he has gone multiple times.

Identifying the suspect is critical and multiple law enforcement agencies are offering to help in the search once an ID is made, the source added.

https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/brian-thompson-unitedhealthcare-news-12-6-24/index.html

 

[Tealgrove]

I worked for Sun Life Insurance many many years ago. I worked in the department that “looked after” the Directors who sat on the Board.

Planning for the AGM started a year in advance. Meeting rooms booked, food organized, flights, hotels, etc etc.

Other meetings were organized throughout the year and it was the same yet not with a full year lead time.

There were 5 of us that worked in this department. We knew everyone’s schedule, when limos were to arrive, etc etc.

I would imagine that UnitedHealthcare had a similar set up. There are many people who worked there that would know the intimate details.

MOO

 

[Big Ears]

He looks so young here.

He reminds me of a college student. Maybe a Master's candidate. Like Bryan Kohberger's age. Bryan, as I recall, was getting his Masters in Criminology.

 

[kamare]

If I were writing the crime novel version:
-This is tied to the 2/12/24 infiltration of Change Healthcare by ALPHV/Blackcat in which Change Healthcare/UnitedHealth “recognized” the breach on 2/21/24.
-On 2/20/24, Brian Thompson submits Edgar filing related to a $15+ million sale purportedly on 2/16/24.
-On 2/26/24, WSJ reports DOJ ongoing anti-trust investigation into UnitedHealth which allegedly triggers the stock drop and the subsequent insider trading lawsuits; however important to note two things: the scope of the data breach is probably becoming more known internally at UnitedHealth and whispers of that alone could have triggered a stock drop (ie even if WSJ DOJ report had not come out); and not specifically mentioned in the WSJ article was the fact that part of the DOJ investigation was actually a revisit of whether UnitedHealth ever put in the firewalls between its companies (ie Change, Optum, UnitedHealthCare) that it promised to a judge that it would do when judge ruled in favor of United in a 2022 DOJ anti-trust suit at the time of its acquisition of Change Healthcare.
-Sometime in late February, someone at (or some entity connected to) UnitedHealth makes a $22 million ransomware bitcoin payment to ALPHV/Blackcat. ALPHV/Blackcat effectively renegs on promise after receipt of payment. A second darkweb entity RansomHub requests a second ransomware payment from UnitedHealth. UnitedHealth refuses.
-In late May, due to intense concern/probing from Congress, UnitedHealth admits that over 1/3 of all U.S. citizens healthcare data may have been breached in the attack. Not in all cases, but in some cases, this included the breach of CC and bank account payment info, insurance info, medical imaging records, test results, medicines prescribed, Dr case mgmt records, etc.
-In its quarter ending 9/30/24, UnitedHealth increases the expected financial cost of the breach to be $2.87 BILLION.
———-
(Other than speculating that Thompson’s February stock sale may have somehow been related to the underway data breach, all of the above info comes from either the DOJ/court records or - evenentually - by UnitedHeath)
————
(The following is speculative entirely speculative for the novel
————
-Shooter is from Europe and somehow connected to DarkWeb hackers involved in the breach (not a pro, but knowledgeable with weapons, govt data capture endpoints - eg cctv, facial recognition, id, etc).
-His entry point into the U.S. was through Atlanta where, in the suburban areas, there are a fair amount of European/Eastern European money laundering outfits.
-Shooter road bike from 104/Central Park West through the park, exited at either 59th or 60th, and ditched bike in its hideout spot.
-Knowing that police would be able to walk back every moment that he had spent in midtown/NYC streets, he walked to F train at Rockefeller Center 50th/6th and road it one stop to try to obfuscate (even just giving himself an extra few minutes of LE confusion) to 57th/6th stop to make it seem like he had come from downtown (or UES>Bronx).
-After killing Thompson, shooter enters Central Park heads towards west side but stays on West Drive (ie I think leaving park at 60th/CPW at Columbus circle is a red herring (or maybe media confusion of where he exited on his route to the shooting) as it doesn’t make any sense to exit there and then be back on almost constant CCTV (or CPW building cameras) for a portion of the route up to 77th/CPW.

It someone in the company scheduled to be deposed related to any of this?

 

[MassGuy]

He reminds me of a college student. Maybe a Masters candidate. Like Bryan Kohbergers age...

Yeah, I think he’s around 24.

 

[Inthedetails]

Just had a thought. He's been in NYC 10 days and checked out of the hostel on the morning of the assassination. Did he leave stuff behind at the hostel? I'm assuming the gun was in the backpack and took up a lot of room. Did he have clothes and toiletries over the past 10 days? Where are they?

jmo

 

[kamare]

I worked for Sun Life Insurance many many years ago. I worked in the department that “looked after” the Directors who sat on the Board.

Planning for the AGM started a year in advance. Meeting rooms booked, food organized, flights, hotels, etc etc.

Other meetings were organized throughout the year and it was the same yet not with a full year lead time.

There were 5 of us that worked in this department. We knew everyone’s schedule, when limos were to arrive, etc etc.

I would imagine that UnitedHealthcare had a similar set up. There are many people who worked there that would know the intimate details.

MOO

People working in the hotel, even journalists would know the schedule.