UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Brian Thompson fatally shot in Manhattan

Brian Thompson, a longtime UnitedHealth Group Inc. executive, was fatally shot in midtown Manhattan early Wednesday morning in what authorities described as a targeted attack. The violence sent reverberations across the city and corporate boardrooms globally.

Thompson, 50, was shot in the chest before 7 a.m. outside the New York Hilton Midtown, where the largest U.S. insurer was hosting its investor day.

The alleged shooter remained at large as of midday Wednesday and the New York Police Department said the investigation was ongoing.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the initial police probe revealed “this was not a random act of violence. It appears as though this is a targeted murder,” he said, seeking to reassure the city’s residents, businesses and tourists.

“We want to just really calm New Yorkers, and particularly the business executives, that again, this was not what appears to be just a random act of violence. This seemed to have been clearly targeted by an individual, and we will apprehend that individual,” he said.

At a news conference, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the shooting appeared to be “a brazen targeted attack” and that the shooter was believed to have been “lying in wait for several minutes.” As Thompson approached the entrance to the hotel, the attacker came up from behind, shooting him at least once in the back and once in the leg before fleeing on foot and then on an e-bike, Tisch said. The suspect was last seen in Manhattan’s Central Park, she added.

The suspect was described as a white man wearing a cream-colored coat, black and white sneakers, a gray backpack and a black face mask, according to NYPD.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said she directed the state police to NYPD with assistance to “ensure the safety of all New Yorkers,” in a statement. “Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Thompson and we are committed to ensuring the perpetrator is brought to justice.”

Thompson had a gunshot wound to the chest and was taken to Mount Sinai West in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead.

A 20-year veteran of UnitedHealth, Thompson was one of the company’s most senior executives. He went by the nickname “BT” and regularly presented at investor events and on earnings calls. The insurance unit he oversaw is expected to bring in $280 billion in revenue this year, and is the country’s largest health insurer.

In 2021, he took over as chief executive of the UnitedHealthcare insurance division after working in finance positions across the business. A certified public accountant, Thompson graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in business in 1997. He worked at PwC in the Twin Cities before joining UnitedHealth.

At the investor day Wednesday morning, UnitedHealth executives continued their presentations until about 9:10 a.m., when the company addressed the crowd.

“We’re dealing with a very serious medical situation,” UnitedHealth Group Chief Executive Andrew Witty said before abruptly halting the company’s investor day.

About 275 investors attended the conference, which was intended to be a full day of presentations and meetings, according to an analyst who attended the conference who declined to provide his name. He said he was shocked to read about the death online while the conference was ongoing.

“We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague,” UnitedHealth said in a statement. “Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.”

A spokesperson for the New York Hilton Midtown said “we are deeply saddened by this morning’s events in the area and our thoughts are with all affected by the tragedy.” Mount Sinai West declined to comment.

Miller and Tozzi write for Bloomberg.