UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, Fatally Shot at 50, Video of Him Last Seen Alive Released
Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was tragically shot and killed on Wednesday morning, December 4, 2024, outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.
According to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Thompson, 50, was on his way to attend UnitedHealthcare’s investor conference when a gunman approached him from behind and opened fire. He was struck multiple times in the back and calf. Thompson was rushed to Mount Sinai West Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Authorities have described the shooting as a “premeditated, preplanned targeted attack.” Surveillance footage shared by NBC revealed that the gunman had been waiting for several minutes before shooting Thompson, who was dressed in a blue suit. The shooter pursued Thompson as he collapsed, continuing to fire until the gun appeared to jam. The gunman cleared the jam and resumed firing.
Police found three live 9mm rounds, three spent shell casings, and a cell phone at the scene. Investigators suspect the gunman was using a silenced firearm. After the shooting, the suspect fled on foot, switched to a rental bike, and was last seen entering Central Park. The police have described the suspect as wearing a black hoodie and pants, and carrying a gray backpack.
Though the motive for the attack remains unclear, it is believed that Thompson was deliberately targeted. His wife, Paulette, revealed that Thompson had previously received threats, though she did not know the specific details. “There were some people who had been threatening him,” she said.
UnitedHealth Group has expressed deep shock and sadness over Thompson’s death. In a statement, the company called him a “respected colleague and friend” and pledged full cooperation with the NYPD’s investigation, while also extending condolences to his family.
Thompson’s professional legacy was marked by his influential leadership in the healthcare sector. He joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004 and became the CEO of UnitedHealthcare in 2021, overseeing nearly 140,000 employees worldwide. Prior to his role as CEO, Thompson led the Medicare & Retirement division and the Community & State division, which serves underserved populations.
Before his tenure at UnitedHealth, Thompson spent nearly seven years at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where he worked in various roles, including Manager of Transaction Advisory Services, overseeing mergers and acquisitions, and Audit Manager, handling audits for major international companies.
Thompson was also a distinguished academic, graduating as valedictorian from the University of Iowa in 1997, where he earned several honors, including the Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key for achieving the highest GPA.
The shocking death of such a prominent figure has left the corporate world in mourning, and an intensive investigation is underway to uncover the circumstances surrounding the killing.
While no arrests have been made, Crime Stoppers has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.