At 6:46 a.m., patrol officers from the Midtown North Precinct responded to a 911 call about a person shot in front of the Hilton Hotel on Avenue of the Americas. At 6:48 a.m., officers arrived and found the victim, Brian Thompson, 50, CEO of United Healthcare, with gunshot wounds to his back and leg.
A manhunt is underway for the shooter, who police say waited for Thompson to exit his hotel. According to investigators, the suspect arrived at the location on foot about five minutes before Thompson’s arrival. Thompson was walking alone toward the Hilton after exiting his hotel across the street.
The shooter, described as a light-skinned male, was wearing a light brown or cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black-and-white sneakers, and a distinctive gray backpack. The suspect stepped onto the sidewalk from behind a car, ignored other pedestrians, approached Thompson from behind, and shot him in the back. The suspect then walked closer to the victim and continued shooting. Police believe the gun malfunctioned as the shooter cleared a jam and resumed firing.
The suspect fled on foot northbound into an alleyway before getting onto an electric E-City bike and riding toward Central Park. Police have released several photos of the suspect, including a full-face image.
At the scene, officers recovered three live 9mm rounds and three discharged 9mm shell casings with the words “Deny,” “Depose,” and “Defend” inscribed on them.
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[Feature Photo: Brian Thompson/UnitedHealthcare Group]
