NY - UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in Midtown.

[Inthedetails]

The NYPD released a new photo of the hooded suspect standing in front of the counter at the Starbucks at W. 56th Street and 6th Avenue, just minutes away from the Hilton hotel where he gunned down Thompson, 50.

Thanks.

 

[Curiousobserver]

I could see that in a bank robbery or something, where a perpetrator has no choice but to get caught on camera. Even with fake facial features though, he'd be taking a really big risk for very little gain here. There's the possibility of leaving DNA or fingerprints behind, someone still recognizing you despite alterations to your appearance, the transaction itself exposing you, people seeing an image of your clothing and backpack (even if you disposed of them it can help build a trail) and the risk of obtaining an item that could give you away via DNA (a drink or something).

NYC has some of the best in-house digital forensics and molecular forensics capabilities in the world. If this guy got stupid, they are already on the way to his house.

Queue the chorus wishing every homicide got this much attention in 3, 2, 1...

 

[Inthedetails]

The NYPD released a new photo of the hooded suspect standing in front of the counter at the Starbucks at W. 56th Street and 6th Avenue, just minutes away from the Hilton hotel where he gunned down Thompson, 50.

That location opens at 5am. I haven't seen confirmation about what time the shooter was getting coffee - has it been reported?

jmo

 

[nhmemorymaker]

I don't see this turning out to be a professional hit. The guy's a good shooter who's brazen; he had a plan and some basic internet search skills. I don't see someone hired as a professional hitman doing this on a busy street first thing in the morning; this is sending a very public message. Very curious as to what that message is.

MOO

Right now, I do feel it is a professional hit, but I DO also think part of the motive is to send a public message.

Accomplished!

People are scrambling --right now-- to understand more that has transpired in this corporation, and maybe more will be coming out about dealings within the company, as well as tracking down the assailant.

 

[Boodles]

My first reaction, having had experience handling executive escalations of benefit claim issues, was the shooter has had coverage of a medical service for a family member denied and it probably didn't end well. This guy likely blames the insurance carrier (rightly or wrongly) for a death in his family. Anyone obsessed with such an issue could easily find out when and where an annual investor meeting was being held.

This is so awful. I also bet the guy’s not local and hopped on a flight home immediately. I hope they find him, and have confidence they will.

 

[LinasK]

Oooof very young man :-(
Excuse my ignorance, UnitedHealthcare? I have never heard of this company here in the UK, is this a huge company, any controversies surrounding this, significant achievements and/or capital? Trying to figure out why this poor man was targeted, horrible thing to do. Edited: to add a letter s after a noun.

Yes, we used to have United Healthcare through my husband's employer and they are as big as Blue Cross. I was very satified with our coverage.

 

[MassGuy]

That location opens at 5am. I haven't seen confirmation about what time the shooter was getting coffee - has it been reported?

jmo

I haven’t. What’s interesting is there’s a closer Starbucks, one a stone’s throw away from the hotel. He went to one a couple blocks away.

 

[bestill]

Could be this one?

 

[Inthedetails]

Right now, I do feel it is a professional hit, but I DO also think part of the motive is to send a public message.

Accomplished!

People are scrambling --right now-- to understand more that has transpired in this corporation, and maybe more will be coming out about dealings within the company, as well as tracking down the assailant.

But what's the message? People can guess, but it's certainly not a clear message, imo.

I'm on the fence about the motive. I need more info.

jmo

 

[Lore Listener]

NYT just posted video of the suspect walking down the street, appearing to use the phone, before the killing. I feel like they'll catch this guy rather quickly with tech.

Update from Alex Pena and Aric Toler

www.nytimes.com

"Surveillance footage obtained by The New York Times from near the scene of the shooting shows the suspect arriving in the area at least 10 minutes beforehand. Around 6:30 a.m., the man appears to be making a phone call as he walks down the sidewalk about 175 feet away from where Thompson was shot. A Times analysis of the footage found that the man’s clothing and backpack match those worn by the gunman in footage and photographs released by the police."

 

[LinasK]

If he was REALLY smart, stolen card, and fake name....set up a red herring.

But DNA on the coffee cup. Where did he throw it out?

 

[Angelcat13]

I actually kinda think the opposite.

Like you said, the getaway was flawed, but it does seem to be decently planned out - that plus the use of a silencer (which I believe decreases the “performance” of a gun in some ways?) suggests that getting away was as important as ensuring the target was dead.

I don’t know what this is, but I’m leaning away from it being a disgruntled patient/family member.

I should probably jump ahead and read some more posts before commenting, but I’ll comment anyway.

First, I’d love to know what “threats” he had been receiving. Were they from one person, one group or multiple people not particularly connected to a specific group? What were the threats - physical harm to him and/or family or other executives at United? Or were they threats of being publicly “outed” for some type of real or imagined “transgression” or offense? I doubt they were threats of legal action since someone that would threaten legal action is not IMO likely to execute another person like this. Did he make any changes to his personal life/routine to try to ensure his safety?

As far as this person being a “wronged” patient or parent of a patient - This could be the case, but there are several other possible motives here, too. The somewhat sloppy method of disguise & get-away and a public attack clearly in an area that would have cameras could mean the shooter is very angry & in despair/grief and feels like they have nothing to lose, however the fact that he/she even attempts to disguise and get-away makes me feel like he doesn’t really want to get caught or die but that he would be OK if that happened as long as he accomplished his mission.

I don’t think this person is going to kill themselves for the reasons in the previous paragraph. However, if it was a “revenge” killing for treatment denied that may have resulted in the death of a loved one, he could end up killing himself when he realizes executing his target didn’t bring him any sense of peace or justice.

Having been through a lot of issues over the last few years with our medical insurance provider, I can say that it is VERY frustrating and exhausting to have to constantly battle for coverage that you pay for, especially when you feel that someone with no medical knowledge and/or human compassion is sitting behind a desk making arbitrary decisions based on the “company dollar” that can profoundly and tragically affect your life. This could be by denying care/coverage which could result in worsening health or death, but it can also lead to devastating financial consequences that could result in you losing your home, retirement, etc.

I’m not saying that this is what happened here, but if the shooter is someone that feels they lost “everything” while a company executive continues to live a wealthy lifestyle, I can see that anger festering and finally exploding. To be clear, I am not saying this is in anyway justified, rather I’m just trying to think from the shooter’s possible mindset.

For example, a girl that went to school with my kids was diagnosed with cancer in Middle School. Her family had insurance but so much of her care wasn’t covered or fully covered and the bills (medical, household, etc) mount while the parents are least able to devote time to working their job(s). They ended up losing their home, getting divorced, etc. Fortunately the girl is cancer-free and has since graduated High School, but the toll on these families is devastating.

 

[Synergizer Bunny]

I could see that in a bank robbery or something, where a perpetrator has no choice but to get caught on camera. Even with fake facial features though, he'd be taking a really big risk for very little gain here. There's the possibility of leaving DNA or fingerprints behind, someone still recognizing you despite alterations to your appearance, the transaction itself exposing you, people seeing an image of your clothing and backpack (even if you disposed of them it can help build a trail) and the risk of obtaining an item that could give you away via DNA (a drink or something).

I'm inclined to agree. With how intentional this murder was, I just lean towards all of his steps were planned out. Of course, I could be totally wrong.

If this guy has a grudge against UHC and its top executives, he might have others on his list, too. Who knows? It could end up being like the Eric Williams' case in Texas. However, he made a list and murdered those on his list at their homes or close to their homes. On This Day 10 Years Ago, a Disgraced East Texas Judge Began His Killing Spree

That makes me think that this was really planned. Why HIM? I just think that the guy was hired and the person who had the actual grudge/motive didn't commit the crime. Yes - My only experience is what I see on television! Most of my life is spent in a bubble!

JMO.

 

[MassGuy]

NYT just posted video of the suspect walking down the street, appearing to use the phone, before the killing. I feel like they'll catch this guy rather quickly with tech.

Update from Alex Pena and Aric Toler

www.nytimes.com

Oh man, I guess that phone they recovered was probably his. Anyone with a brain would have their phone off, or not on their person.

There are so many ways this guy could potentially be caught, and now it appears it’s just a matter of which method pays off first.

 

[whitelilac]

But DNA on the coffee cup. Where did he throw it out?

Took it with him, threw it out elsewhere, or knows his DNA is not in the system.

 

[Synergizer Bunny]

Is it possible the company or someone on the board etc could have arranged this?

My husband (briefly) mentioned that it could even be someone who was passed over for that job. Being 50 years old is really young to be a CEO. Looks like he has been the CEO since 2021. So, he was 47 years old when promoted!

JMO.

 

[LinasK]

Any "professional" assassin who would willingly go into a Starbucks, with cameras, and interact with baristas, is not very professional, imo. I won't be surprised to find out he paid with a traceable card. Or used a discount card.

The reason I'm laughing at that is that it'd be hilarious if he tried to collect his Starbucks Rewards stars/points on his order!

 

[Curiousobserver]

NYT just posted video of the suspect walking down the street, appearing to use the phone, before the killing. I feel like they'll catch this guy rather quickly with tech.

Update from Alex Pena and Aric Toler

www.nytimes.com

"Surveillance footage obtained by The New York Times from near the scene of the shooting shows the suspect arriving in the area at least 10 minutes beforehand. Around 6:30 a.m., the man appears to be making a phone call as he walks down the sidewalk about 175 feet away from where Thompson was shot. A Times analysis of the footage found that the man’s clothing and backpack match those worn by the gunman in footage and photographs released by the police."

If he used a phone, even a burner phone, they know the details of that call already.

I would not be surprised if he is in custody tonight, or already in custody.

 

[MassGuy]

Update from Alex Pena and Aric Toler

www.nytimes.com

 

[Inthedetails]

NYT just posted video of the suspect walking down the street, appearing to use the phone, before the killing. I feel like they'll catch this guy rather quickly with tech.

Update from Alex Pena and Aric Toler

www.nytimes.com

"Surveillance footage obtained by The New York Times from near the scene of the shooting shows the suspect arriving in the area at least 10 minutes beforehand. Around 6:30 a.m., the man appears to be making a phone call as he walks down the sidewalk about 175 feet away from where Thompson was shot. A Times analysis of the footage found that the man’s clothing and backpack match those worn by the gunman in footage and photographs released by the police."

From that link:

"Investigators believe the gunman fled the scene on an electric Citi Bike, and by early afternoon, a group of police officials were gathered at a Citi Bike kiosk on Madison Avenue and 82nd Street on the Upper East Side. They were asking doormen and building superintendents nearby for video footage that may have captured the bike rack."