NY - UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in Midtown. #4

[x_files]

I wonder if it was more of an impromptu realization, and less of a contest. I'm sure if you walk around NYC right now nearly everyone looks similar, jacket, hood, Gator/scarf, bookbag... But at the same time it is NYC and they are delightfully crass.

The shooter dresses like everyone in tech, walking around downtown or commuting on ebikes.

 

[Nikynoo]

But why BT out of all the UHC executives? I don't think he is the only one involved in the legal problems. What is unique about him specifically? That is what will come into the motive - why BT out of all other healthcare, UHC, corporate executives.

Perhaps BT was not the specific target, it could have been any UHC exec. Perhaps BT was the first exec to come out of the building? If there had been another UHC with BT, would they have also been shot?

 

[FoxxTraxx]

Israel Keyes

Oh he absolutely did put a lot of effort into it, which is why this whole thing is so remarkable.

We just don’t see this level of commitment and planning, like ever. He seemingly thought of everything, and knew exactly what he was doing.

Had he done this like 30 years ago, he probably gets away with it.

The only person I can think of is Israel Keyes, who apparently laid plans to kill someone up to 2 years in advance. But Keyes left behind virtually no clues and was never a suspect in most of his killings until he unraveled. Nevertheless, could the person of interest in Brian Thompson's slaying have killed before, but also, has never been a suspect?

 

[MesquiteO21]

there is zero reason to think that, though.
all evidence points to his job being very related.

I wouldn’t say zero. The words on the casings could be too obvious and just red herrings. We don’t really have any evidence (that I’m aware of) which indicates this could be related to the DOJ investigation.
Just because hundreds of people on social media are airing their grievances and lack of sympathy doesn’t mean the shooter was among them angry with UHC
At this point, a personal motive is still a possibility I think
Jmo

 

[Baby baby Jane]

He probably was dressed in layers, shedding his coat etc. would have allowed him/her to avoid detection. Also could have carried a wig, sunglasses and fake beard in his once bulky gray backpack.
Just like in many spy novels/ movies!

Was wondering if he had a full “clean suit” those white onesies with hood and booties under his clothes which gave him that look of having “lady hips” maybe it’s bunched up. Perhaps an effort to contain his hair & dna.

 

[x_files]

I have to believe there are plenty of lawyers who would love to take up these cases. They are paid only if they win the case.

BTW - I am one of the apparent few who feels that BT's job really has nothing to do with his murder.

JMO.

Gunman hired by estranged wife or angry mistress/lover angle?

 

[Synergizer Bunny]

Find my iPhone? Airtag? Does seem like someone knew exact movements. GPS even.

Doesn't account for a security team possibly being with him or identifying the exact person.

JMO

 

[BackInNewMexico]

John Miller on CNN said the words on the bullet casings were “delay” and “depose”. If “Deny” is missing, then only one word is the same as the ‘Deny, Delay, Defend’ insurance book. I have this feeling the shooting has been instantly connected to insurance because of the book title, but is it still if only one word is the same. Hmm.
All IMO & I still seem to read conjecture about words on casing/how many, although I hear John Miller is a reliable source mostly.

 

[Elley Mae]

I am really disappointed in society as a whole when I see things like this and read all over the internet on social media, message boards, etc. about how this is acceptable because of who this man was. If he committed a crime, he should have been charged and face those charges in court and if health care companies are denying claims, then we don't use them and/or we fix policies that allow this type of thing to happen. We go about things like a civilized society and not like this.

I am sure everyone that is ya'ing this murder and who claims they wouldn't turn the killer in if they knew who it was, would feel differently if it was their family member gunned down in cold blood like this.

I’m baffled by it. Some ppls brains are warped.

Jmo

 

[thefragile7393]

He is a figurehead, not just for the company but also for the industry. Imo, he was targeted in that place (NYC) at that time (before the shareholder meeting) precisely to do exactly what he has done: bring attention to the corrupt practices of the health insurance industry. He put them all on notice: “you are not exempt.”

I DO NOT in any way condone vigilante violence. I would certainly not call it vigilante justice. Murder in cold blood is not ever justice. I am speculating as to the mind of the killer. All moo.

fully understand what you're saying and agree with you. I work in the field and see firsthand the stupid hoops people have to jump through for care, along with dealing with my own health issues. Your comment is very thoughtful and accurate

 

[Auntie Cipation]

And how would he know BT would head to the Hilton side entrance? As I understand it, there are two entrances to the hotel, each about equal walking distance from BT's hotel. Just a lucky guess? Unlikely. Too much planning went into it for that.

I suppose he would just logically enter on the side that was closest to where he was coming from his hotel..? But still, yeah that information requires insider knowledge
Jmo

It was stated early on in the thread that the side entrances to the Hilton, including where this shooting happened, are locked until 8am.

So at 6:45am, BT would have only been able to enter the Hilton from the front. Whether he knew that, or would have tried the side door before realizing, we do not know. MOO

 

[eddie_van]

I wouldn’t say zero. The words on the casings could be too obvious and just red herrings. We don’t really have any evidence (that I’m aware of) which indicates this could be related to the DOJ investigation.
Just because hundreds of people on social media are airing their grievances and lack of sympathy doesn’t mean the shooter was among them angry with UHC
At this point, a personal motive is still a possibility I think
Jmo

if you're gonna say a piece of evidence is a red herring then you need some other piece of evidence that corroborates that theory. otherwise you're just discarding clues for no reason, which isn't logical. IMO

 

[Jinkasaurus]

Perhaps BT was not the specific target, it could have been any UHC exec. Perhaps BT was the first exec to come out of the building? If there had been another UHC with BT, would they have also been shot?

I wondered this too. I hope we get answers in this case sooner rather than later.

 

[Jamara3]

He is a figurehead, not just for the company but also for the industry. Imo, he was targeted in that place (NYC) at that time (before the shareholder meeting) precisely to do exactly what he has done: bring attention to the corrupt practices of the health insurance industry. He put them all on notice: “you are not exempt.”

I DO NOT in any way condone vigilante violence. I would certainly not call it vigilante justice. Murder in cold blood is not ever justice. I am speculating as to the mind of the killer. All moo.

He is the CEO. With the enormous amount of influence United Health has, it in many ways kind of makes him a pawn which might be unpopular to say. He worked there for 20+ years to get to that role. He was a loyal, good employee. The more unsavory figures work in the background. His part of the insider trading allegations is small compared to his associates. That makes me raise a brow that he could have been targeted to make a deal to take down others. There is much more going on than just the sale of stocks when you read into it.
This article has some more:

Thompson, UnitedHealth kept probe secret and misled investors, lawsuit claims

UnitedHealthcare and late CEO Brian Thompson are named in a lawsuit alleging that executives sold stock while keeping secrets from investors.

insurancenewsnet.com

 

[KooshBall]

I'm thinking he got the gun and fake ID from the dark web, maybe even hired from there. There are millions of people buying and selling anything from drugs to social security numbers, and everything in between. MOO.

 

[citizen_sleuth]

https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/07/us/brian-thompson-unitedhealthcare-gunman-search-saturday/index.html

<snipped & BBM>
NYPD divers were searching a body of water in New York’s Central Park on Saturday for the firearm used in the fatal shooting of a health care executive in Manhattan, a law enforcement official told CNN, as the search for the gunman nears the end of its fourth day.

The divers were seen in water known as the Lake, near the park’s iconic boathouse and Bethesda Fountain, the official said.

[...]

No gun was found in the backpack believed to have belonged to the gunman, law enforcement officials said Saturday.

[...]

The Peak Design backpack contained a Tommy Hilfiger jacket, according to the officials. It was not immediately clear if other items were in the backpack, officials said.

[...]

They have also contacted UnitedHealthcare’s security team to obtain its own person-of-interest list, looking for people who have been publicly vocal with complaints against the company, according to the source.

 

[Let’s Bagel]

I worked in a hospital billing department for 9 years, and I can assure you that insurance companies do any and everything they can to get out of paying even services they

John Miller on CNN said the words on the bullet casings were “delay” and “depose”. If “Deny” is missing, then only one word is the same as the ‘Deny, Delay, Defend’ insurance book. I have this feeling the shooting has been instantly connected to insurance because of the book title, but is it still if only one word is the same. Hmm.
All IMO & I still seem to read conjecture about words on casing/how many, although I hear John Miller is a reliable source mostly.

And "deny" is the most important word in the context of patients and families being upset regarding disallowed services.

 

[MesquiteO21]

if you're gonna say a piece of evidence is a red herring then you need some other piece of evidence that corroborates that theory. otherwise you're just discarding clues for no reason, which isn't logical. IMO

I didn’t say it was, just saying it could be. I’m not necessarily taking it at face value with blind faith which isn’t logical either in investigations
Jmo

 

[Furore]

I think it would be difficult to have studied all the executives in enough detail to recognise them on the street, it is often really hard to recognise people from photos, but the shooter did not hesitate. He shot BT and only BT despite all the other people nearby. The timing was also so perfect. I do struggle to see how he could have known where and at precisely what time BT would be in position, without help though!

 

[MassGuy]

Israel Keyes

The only person I can think of is Israel Keyes, who apparently laid plans to kill someone up to 2 years in advance. But Keyes left behind virtually no clues and was never a suspect in most of his killings until he unraveled. Nevertheless, could the person of interest in Brian Thompson's slaying have killed before, but also, has never been a suspect?

They are certainly similar in that regard. I consider Keys to be the scariest serial killer of all time because of the extent of his planning, and his intelligence.

Both have those things in common, but their motivations couldn't be more different. I do not believe this guy has killed before, because I believe this was personal to him in some way. Keyes did it for enjoyment.