New York — The search is ongoing for the gunman who opened fire and killed a man in New York. UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Authorities said Wednesday morning that there appears to have been a targeted attack.
thompsonThe 50-year-old suspect was shot multiple times around 6:45 a.m. outside the Hilton Midtown hotel on Sixth Avenue near West 54th Street in New York City, officials said at a news conference Wednesday. Thompson was not a guest of the Hilton, but was staying at another hotel nearby and was walking to the Hilton for a corporate event when he was attacked.
The shooting occurred ahead of an investor meeting. UnitedHealth GroupA spokeswoman for UnitedHealthcare, its parent company, said Wednesday that it will host the event at the Hilton Hotel.
What we know about CEO shooting suspect
The suspect has not been identified. He was a light-skinned man and wore a gray backpack, which New York Police Chief Joseph Kenny described as “very distinctive.” Kenny said the gunman was wearing a light brown or cream colored jacket, a black face mask and black and white sneakers.
new york police
The suspect appeared to be lying down for several minutes waiting for the newly sworn-in police chief, Thompson. jessica table He said at a press conference Wednesday. A senior NYPD official told CBS News that the suspect’s arrival before Thompson meant he knew where the CEO was staying and when he would arrive for the meeting.
“Based on the evidence we have so far, it appears the victim was specifically targeted, but we don’t know why,” Kenney said.
Thompson was staying at another hotel across the street, Kenny said. He left the hotel shortly after 6:40 and headed to the Hilton Hotel. Kenny said police were speaking with Thompson’s colleagues to understand why he headed to the hotel so early, but that the CEO was in charge of the meeting and may have gone to help with arrangements.
The suspect approached Thompson from behind around 6:44 a.m. and shot him at least once in the back and once in the right calf. Security cameras captured the incident.
Kenney said the suspect appears to be skilled with firearms and appears to be quick to resolve any issues with the suspect’s weapon. The NYPD said the suspect’s weapon was also equipped with a silencer.
The suspect first fled on foot and then rode a bicycle. Tisch initially said the suspect used an electronic Citi Bike to get away, but Lyft said the NYPD later told the company that owns and operates the Citi Bike that was not true. Police are attempting to track down the suspect through video investigation, Kenney said. A Lyft spokesperson previously said the company was “ready to assist” with the investigation.
The suspect was seen in Central Park, and police video footage showed him exiting somewhere between 70th and 80th Streets, west of the park. Police are reviewing surveillance video that appears to show the suspect riding a bicycle on West 85th Street around 6:59 a.m.
What evidence did the police find?
Kenny said three live 9mm rounds and three discharged 9mm shell casings were recovered at the scene.
On Thursday, law enforcement officials confirmed to CBS News: The words ‘reject’, ‘defend’, and ‘abolish’ The following text was written on the shell casing recovered at the scene of the attack. Officials said investigators are looking into whether the comments indicate a motive related to the insurer’s response to the claim. It is similar to the word used in the title of a book about insurance claim denial published in 2010.
ABC News first reported that this phrase was found written on shell casings recovered from the shooting scene.
Police also found a cell phone along the route the suspect used to leave the scene. Police are conducting a forensic analysis to determine if the device belongs to the suspect, Kenny said. Police told CBS News the phone had “investigative value” but did not provide further details or identify the phone’s owner.
CBS News New York
Police are still examining surveillance images and say they have video but no audio of the shooting. The Joint Law Enforcement Task Force said it was conducting a reverse video investigation. Investigators are looking at all cameras at the crime scene and footage from the surrounding area to try to trace the suspect’s escape route.
They are also investigating where the suspect came from.
Police released surveillance video showing the suspect at a Starbucks two blocks from where the shooting occurred around 6:17 a.m., 30 minutes before the shooting. Police told CBS News that they found unspecified “forensic evidence” at the Starbucks and that items recovered there were being tested for DNA and possible fingerprints by the NYPD Crime Scene Unit. The suspect paid in cash, police said.
New York City Police Department
UnitedHealthcare investigators and sheriff’s officials are combing through files looking for possible motives, possible prior threats and disgruntled or recently fired employees, law enforcement sources said. The company said it was cooperating with the investigation. Police are also looking through social media and interviewing employees, family members and others who knew Thompson, Kenny said.
Pat Milton and John Doyle contributed reporting.
