NY - UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in Midtown.

[x_files]

The video is really interesting. I think it's a male, but a short/slight younger male, but the way they run is kind of odd. Is there video of the suspect on the bike or just photos? They look professional and confident in what they're doing. These are not compliments to be clear.

Hope this does not sound insensitive and of course JMO MOO, but if someone was disgruntled enough over a denied claim or other insurance-related issue, would they have the funds to hire a hit?

No, but possibly an underage teenage son might take matters into his own hands?
The build is slight so I tend to think they are young.

 

[Inthedetails]

Shots to the head are extremely difficult, and police training, for example, often emphasizes 3 shots to the chest as having a greater possibility of a successful immobilization of the target. Some of the descriptions of the incident in this thread also say that the victim turned to face the shooter after he was shot in the leg, and then was apparently shot frontally. More details will emerge, I think. Lack of a shot to the head does not mean a non-professional assassin.

One thing that is of interest is the pistol jamming. The shooter is knowledgeable enough to recover from the pistol jam and complete the murder. The unused rounds ejected and left on the sidewalk indicate some difficulty, and perhaps a lack of experience with the pistol he used. However, if the shooter was familiar with the combination of this particular pistol, silencer and ammunition, a jam shouldn't have occurred. Possibly, he hadn't tested the ammunition or the pistol. Another possibility is that the murder weapon was left for the shooter for retrieval somewhere, and that the weapon wasn't his.

Would the cold weather affect how the gun performed?

(I know nothing about guns.)

jmo

 

[Cryptic]

I was thinking in a similar direction. The killer is tall and gangly, with that smug youthful stride which makes me think he is in his twenties. Dressed in black bloc; could be a political hit against the corporation the victim was employed by. MOO

I think the smug and twenty something is a good summary. I wonder if membership in a socio political extremist group is also a possibility.

 

[thebedbug]

That phone call now bothers me. I work for a similar size company close enough to observe the C-suit and when they travel they are almost never ever alone, they have an entourage. Especially when there is an investor day presentation. How did he arrive at just the right time, and know for example that he had time to stop at Starbuck's?

I was going to make a point about this. I used to work for a similarly prominent financial services company and I recall the CEO always seemed to travel with a group, including security.

 

[PrairieWind]

I am thinking someone was telling him the suspect is on the way during that phone call. imo

jmo

I think that is likely as well.

 

[airportwoman]

I don't agree. I was very pleased with the coverage we had in the past. Nonetheless, bad health insurance shouldn't be a reason to go kill the CEO. On Kaiser, I agree with you though, I'd never have Kaiser if I have the choice. Many horror stories of their care.

When my sister moved to SoCal the first time, in the mid 1990s, several people told her to go without insurance before signing with Kaiser.

 

[ElizaKate]

Shots to the head are extremely difficult, and police training, for example, often emphasizes 3 shots to the chest as having a greater possibility of a successful immobilization of the target. Some of the descriptions of the incident in this thread also say that the victim turned to face the shooter after he was shot in the leg, and then was apparently shot frontally. More details will emerge, I think. Lack of a shot to the head does not mean a non-professional assassin.

One thing that is of interest is the pistol jamming. The shooter is knowledgeable enough to recover from the pistol jam and complete the murder. The unused rounds ejected and left on the sidewalk indicate some difficulty, and perhaps a lack of experience with the pistol he used. However, if the shooter was familiar with the combination of this particular pistol, silencer and ammunition, a jam shouldn't have occurred. Possibly, he hadn't tested the ammunition or the pistol. Another possibility is that the murder weapon was left for the shooter for retrieval somewhere, and that the weapon wasn't his.

Yes. Reporting is still stating leg and back but it looks fairly clear to me in the video that the victim turned around when he fell to the ground. Agree that there's more details to emerge there.

 

[Warwick1991]

Would the cold weather affect how the gun performed?

(I know nothing about guns.)

jmo

At least in my experience, not usually, unless there was some kind of lubricant that froze. Generally, firearms work in a variety of climate conditions. In very cold weather, it's the person that would be affected, not the firearm. Some shooting outside for hunting or sport wear gloves.

 

[Elley Mae]

Would the cold weather affect how the gun performed?

(I know nothing about guns.)

jmo

I was with a team of shooters in the mountains Va, winter and a shooter was loading the mag bare hands. Because of the weather moisture from his bare hands froze the bullets/rounds in the chamber. Go figure.

Jmo

 

[Cryptic]

Would the cold weather affect how the gun performed?

(I know nothing about guns.)

In theory, yes. Extreme could can congeal, or perhaps even freeze the lubricating oil. The gun will then be less likely to cycle correctly, causing repeated jams.

But... in practice, I think the above would require the weapon to be left outside several days on the Russian front, or at the Korean War's equally frozen Chosin Reservoir.

 

[PrairieWind]

Yeah, if professional, I think the shot to the leg was intentional to disable him. But then just shooting in the back seems unlikely for a professional. Especially as he walks up to him whilst he's on the ground. Unless he run out of bullets given those lost during the jamming (I don't know anything about guns/how many bullets would be in one like he used!).

That gun likely would hold at least 10 rounds in a standard magazine. I think he fired the number he thought he needed to get the job done. But there was no over kill.

 

[Notthisshipsister]

Good question.

The VIP meeting was scheduled at 8:00. He was apparently approaching the hotel at 7:00. Perhaps he is a jogging / running type CEO?

Though one hour to shower, dress and prepare for a VIP meeting seems crunched, perhaps jogging is habitual for him and his way to relax? Likewise, he may of been slated for a later appearance time than the possible 8:00 a.m. warm up events ala "Save the best for last"

MOO--- It looked to me as if he was walking with purpose. He was in a suit, not jogging clothes. His arms are swinging freely; he wasn't carrying a cup of coffee, or a newspaper, as he headed back towards his hotel.

 

[Warwick1991]

Yes. Reporting is still stating leg and back but it looks fairly clear to me in the video that the victim turned around when he fell to the ground. Agree that there's more details to emerge there.

Shooting in the back can be fatal quickly. The shot in the leg might be a miss. Less experienced pistol shooters often shoot low, although it could have been deliberate. I don't think he's a "professional hitman," although it's possible.

 

[flowershop]

A candy wrapper and water bottle were recovered and are believed to be linked to the shooter.

What we know about Luigi Mangione, Ivy League grad charged in CEO's murder

Luigi Mangione has been charged with second-degree murder in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

abcnews.go.com

 

[jimg77]

Would the cold weather affect how the gun performed?

(I know nothing about guns.)

jmo

JMO
Yes, the gunpowder burns slower resulting in lower muzzle velocity. Then add in silencer and you have a possibility of a jam. It would also cause any lubricants to thicken causing more resistance to moving parts.

 

[rogue ant]

I disagree with the prosthetic nose theory, because he knew he was going to be wearing a face covering (mask or gaitor, or even a turtleneck pulled up onto his face; I can't really tell from the pictures). IMO a prosthesis would be too risky, gets snagged by the face covering, oops.

 

[Inthedetails]

That gun likely would hold at least 10 rounds in a standard magazine. I think he fired the number he thought he needed to get the job done. But there was no over kill.

Good point. Emotional/rage killings sometimes involve over-kill. This seems to be more detached, at this point. jmo

 

[x_files]

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

My first question is who benefits financially from his death? His wife? His family? His employers?
Or who has a grudge against him?
It was done publicly so the shooter wanted this to be a public event caught on camera otherwise he could have shot him in his hometown in a private location.

 

[PrairieWind]

Shots to the head are extremely difficult, and police training, for example, often emphasizes 3 shots to the chest as having a greater possibility of a successful immobilization of the target. Some of the descriptions of the incident in this thread also say that the victim turned to face the shooter after he was shot in the leg, and then was apparently shot frontally. More details will emerge, I think. Lack of a shot to the head does not mean a non-professional assassin.

One thing that is of interest is the pistol jamming. The shooter is knowledgeable enough to recover from the pistol jam and complete the murder. The unused rounds ejected and left on the sidewalk indicate some difficulty, and perhaps a lack of experience with the pistol he used. However, if the shooter was familiar with the combination of this particular pistol, silencer and ammunition, a jam shouldn't have occurred. Possibly, he hadn't tested the ammunition or the pistol. Another possibility is that the murder weapon was left for the shooter for retrieval somewhere, and that the weapon wasn't his.

I think the suppressor is affecting the cycling of the gun. The shooter has to manually cycle the gun after each shot. I think after the second shot, the case doesn't seem to eject and it takes the shooter a moment to clear it by cycling it again, but it doesn't phase him and he knew what to do. This is an experienced shooter who remains calm despite the jam and who disregards the other person there entirely. He doesn't walk up and empty the gun into the victim, he makes his shots and leaves.

 

[arielilane]

LE said that the gunman was lying in wait for several minutes, so how does gunman know BT would not arrive while he is getting coffee?
Apparently, someone else is involved- maybe two or more are involved?
The timing seems precise. Shooter knew the exact time BT would be out there, apparently.
Only an opinion.