Paulette Thompson calls attack on her husband ‘senseless’
Brian Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, has released a statement, calling the killing of her husband “senseless.”
The statement, obtained by CNN, states:
We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian.
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.
We appreciate your well wishes and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time.
Key events
Here are the latest images from the newswires after the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson:
The day so far
A manhunt is under way in New York City as police continue to search for a gunman who fatally shot Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the US’s largest health insurers, early on Wednesday morning.
Here is what we know so far:
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Thompson, 50, was in New York City for the annual UnitedHealthcare investor conference scheduled for Wednesday.
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But at around 6.45 am local time, a man wearing a mask approached him outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan and shot him multiple times, police said, killing him.
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The gunman, who has not yet been identified, then fled the scene, first on foot, and then on an electric Citi Bike and headed toward Central Park, where they were last seen.
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Thompson was found by police on the sidewalk in front of the Hilton, with gunshot wounds to his back and his leg. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition and pronounced dead at 7.12am.
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Police reported that they recovered three live nine-millimeter rounds and three discharged nine-millimeter shell casings. They also found a mobile phone in an alley where the suspect fled, and are currently analyzing it.
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New York’s police commissioner, Jessica Tisch, stated, “Every indication is that this was a premeditated, pre-planned targeted attack.”
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She also described her husband “an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives” as well as a loving father of two sons. “We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian” she added.
Rachel Leingang
Reporting from Minnesota:
The police department in the city where Thompson lives – Maple Grove, Minnesota – said it had notified Thompson’s family of his murder this morning, at the request of the New York City police department.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the Thompson family during this difficult time,” the department said in a statement.
The Maple Grove police department said it is in contact with the NYPD and would provide further assistance if requested.
There was one reported suspicious activity incident on file with the Maple Grove police department at the Thompson residence in 2018, which was cleared with no criminal activity detected, the department said. The department said it has no record of any reports of threats against Thompson.
Eden Prairie, a city where a United Healthcare headquarters building is located, said its police have not received any reports of threats or other concerns related to United Healthcare.
Minnesota Representative-elect, Kelly Morrison, has also released a statement on the incident.
“This is a horrific tragedy – my heart goes out to Brian’s family and loved ones and everyone at United healthcare” Morrison said.
Minnesota congresswoman Angie Craig has released a statement on the shooting.
“This is horrifying news” Craig said. “I’m sending my deepest condolences to Brian Thompson’s family members, loved ones and the entire UnitedHealthcare team.”
“This kind of violence is never acceptable” she added.
NYPD releases additional photos of shooting suspect
The New York police department have released additional photos of the suspect.
Here is one of the latest images:
Steve Parente, a health economist at the University of Minnesota and a former healthcare official in the first Trump administration, has praised Thompson, describing him as an “incredible guy”.
In an interview with the Minnesota Star Tribune, Parente said that he worked with Thompson to help develop a system for distributing federal financial aid to healthcare providers during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, while Parente was working in the White House.
”He was just an incredible guy – nice, resourceful,” Parente said. “This is just a total tragedy.”
Minnesota Senator Tina Smith has also commented on the killing, calling it a “horrifying tragedy.”
Shooting will not impact the annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center, police say
Police said during the news conference that the shooting would not affect the annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center, which is only a few blocks away from the Hilton Hotel.
“Millions of people will be enjoying the tree lighting tonight, among other holiday events, and the NYPD will be out there with them, keeping them safe,” said New York City’s police commissioner, Jessica Tisch.
The tree lighting ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7 pm ET on Wednesday evening.
“This incident will not affect the tree lighting” a police official added. “The tree lighting is slated to start at 7pm, the actual lighting of the tree will be closer 10 o’clock.”
“We will have a massive police presence out there around Rockefeller Center from 52nd street all the way down to 47th Street” authorities said, adding that additional police officers were also going to be in the subway as well.
A witness who heard the gunfire described the incident as “pretty scary”.
Christian Diaz told Reuters he heard the gunfire from the nearby University Club Hotel where he works.
“The police were here in seconds” Diaz said. “It’s New York. It’s not normal here at seven in the morning but it’s pretty scary.”
Paulette Thompson calls attack on her husband ‘senseless’
Brian Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, has released a statement, calling the killing of her husband “senseless.”
The statement, obtained by CNN, states:
We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian.
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.
We appreciate your well wishes and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time.
Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips has shared a statement on the shooting.
“I’m horrified by the assassination of my constituent, Brian Thompson, this morning in NYC and have his family in my prayers,” Phillips posted to X.
The suspect was last spotted in Central Park, authorities say
Police said on Wednesday that the gunman was last seen in Central Park on center drive early on Wednesday morning, after fleeing the scene by foot and then on an electric Citi Bike.
As of Wednesday afternoon, a helicopter was reported flying overhead in Central Park, according to the New York Times.
A former UnitedHealth Group executive who worked with Thompson for over a decade has described him as “humble” and a “family man.”
Speaking with the Minnesota Star Tribune, John Penshorn, a former UnitedHealth Group executive who worked with Thompson for more than a decade before retiring in 2019, said that Thompson was humble, a servant-leader and family man.”
The Minnesota Star Tribune is reporting that the principal of Wayzata High School, where one of Thompson’s sons is currently a student and the other has recently graduated, sent a note to staff this morning expressing deep sympathy for the family.
“Wayzata High School has taken immediate steps to support our students and staff, as they process this devastating event,” Principal Scott Gengler wrote in a memo shared with the Star Tribune.
“Our student support teams are available and are offering a safe and supportive space for students and staff to grieve and find comfort” it added. “Additionally, our dedicated team of social workers is available to provide personalized support and guidance for those who need it.”