United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed Wednesday morning in what officials are calling a "targeted" attack.
(PLGNN) - Brian Thompson, the CEO of United Healthcare, a multinational insurance company, was killed early Wednesday morning as he walked toward a hotel hosting the company's annual investor conference.
Shortly before 7am, a gunman, wearing a face covering and a black hoodie, was "lying in wait", before firing on Thompson outside of the Hilton Midtown, according to the NYPD.
NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch said "I want to be clear: At this time, every indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack."
The motive for the shooting is currently unknown, and the gunman is at large after escaping on an e-bike towards Central Park. The UnitedHealth Group was aware of some concerning threats against the high-level executives at the company. The source said that the threats did not mention Thompson's name.
The widow of Thompson, Paulette, told NBC News "there had been some threats" against her husband.
In a video obtained by PLGNN, Thompson is walking towards the hotel, and the gunman shoots Thompson in the back, causing Thompson to fall to the ground. The gunman walks over to where Thompson lays and fires more shots.
Thompson was shot by a weapon that appeared to be outfitted with a silencer (also known as a suppressor), which improves the accuracy and lessens the recoil of the gun, however its primary purpose is to silence the shot. Silencers are difficult to obtain, with New York being one of the eight states that prohibits the purchase and use of silencers. It's a struggle to obtain a silencer in a state where it is legal, where you need to pay a large free and pass and ATF background check.
Firearm experts who have studied the video noted that the gun malfunctioned, jamming with each shot. The gunman cleared the jams with ease before firing again.
The NYPD noted that this means the suspect is proficient with firearms, receiving military or law enforcement level firearm training.
The suspect is still at large. If you have any information regarding this incident, contact the NYPD at 1 (800) 577-TIPS.