Surveillance Video Shows Suspect in Shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO

(Left) In an image from video, an unidentified man prepares to shoot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City, on Dec. 4, 2024. (Right) An undated file image of Brian Thompson. The Epoch Times via NYPD; UnitedHealth Group via AP

Newly released surveillance video shows the suspect in the Dec. 4 shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City.

The shooting happened on Sixth Avenue between West 53rd Street and West 54th Street outside of a Hilton hotel. The shooter fled into an alleyway to West 55th Street, where he hopped onto an electric bicycle and cycled to Central Park.

The video shows Thompson walking down the sidewalk in midtown Manhattan at about 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday. A masked man comes into the frame and aims his gun at Thompson.

The moment the gun is fired is not included in the footage. The gunman then takes off on foot. He has not yet been identified.

Authorities said it appears that Thompson, who was on his way to an investor conference, was targeted.

“It appears the suspect was lying in wait for several minutes,” New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters in a briefing.

People passed by the man before he shot Thompson, according to police. Officers were still looking for a person who was standing next to Thompson when he was shot.

“Every indication is that this was a premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack,” Tisch added later.

Based on how the man cleared an apparent malfunction with his gun, “it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.

Police recovered three nine-millimeter rounds and shell casings from the scene.

The man wore black shoes, dark pants, and a black jacket. He was carrying a gray backpack. His face was partially obscured with a black mask.

Police have released five images of the man. One is taken from the surveillance video. Another shows him riding a bike after the shooting. The other three showed the man inside a nearby Starbucks before the shooting, authorities said.

“We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian,” Paulette Thompson, Brian’s widow, said in a statement to news outlets. “Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives. Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed.”

This image provided by the New York City Police Department shows the suspect sought in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel, on Dec. 4, 2024. New York City Police Department via AP

UnitedHealth Group, which operates UnitedHealthcare, said in a statement that officials were “deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson.”

Police have asked anyone with information to contact them. A $10,000 reward for information is being offered.