The CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson (50), was fatally shot in the chest on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan, the New York Post reported. New York Daily News, citing police forces, said the incident occurred Wednesday morning just before 7. am.
Thompson was reportedly walking past the Residences Hilton Club on Sixth Ave. near W. 54th St. about 6:45 a.m. when the masked gunman, described as a white male wearing a cream-colored jacket, black face mask, and black and white sneakers, snuck up and shot Thompson before fleeing the scene on a bicycle. Witnesses told police the gunman was waiting outside the hotel before he Thompson, leading authorities to believe this was a targeted attack.
Thompson was rushed to Mount Sinai West in critical condition when he was later pronounced dead.
According to the Star Tribune, records showed Brian Thompson lived in Maple Grove, Minnesota. He was in New York for the UnitedHealth Group Investor Day meeting, slated to be held at the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan.
Thompson is reportedly survived by his wife Paulette Thompson, 51, a practicing physical therapist for Park Nicollet Health Services, and two sons.
Brian Thompson was named UnitedHealthcare CEO in 2021
UnitedHealthcare, the largest private health insurer in the U.S. based in Minnesota, named Brian Thompson their CEO in 2021. In a press release on Tuesday, December 3, the company said they had arranged an investor meeting at the Hilton Hotel on December 4.
According to CNBC, UnitedHealth Group was hosting investor day at the New York Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan. After the shooting, the company canceled the investor day. CNBC cited a statement issued by UnitedHealth Group staff during the investor day. They said:
“I’m afraid that we – some of you may know we’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members. And as a result, I’m afraid we’re going to have to bring to a close the event today, which I’m sure you’ll understand.”
According to his LinkedIn page, Brian Thompson graduated in 1997 from the University of Iowa, where he studied business administration and accounting. Thompson, who worked for the UnitedHealth Group for two decades, served as the CFO for the UnitedHealthcare unit from 2010 to 2013. Prior to his UnitedHealthcare CEO appointment in 2021, he oversaw the Medicare business within UnitedHealthcare for years, starting in 2013.
In a post on X, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sent his condolences to the family. He wrote:
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"This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota. Minnesota is sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team."
Police are yet to apprehend the suspect.
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