MIDTOWN, Manhattan – The CEO of UnitedHealthcare was killed in a targeted shooting in New York City on Wednesday morning, police said.
Brian Thompson, 50, was shot in the back and leg by a masked gunman just before 7 a.m. in front of a Hilton hotel on 54th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, according to officials. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The suspect had been waiting for Thompson to arrive at the hotel for an investors meeting, police said. The NYPD is offering up to $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest in the case.
Thompson became CEO of UnitedHealthcare in 2021 after joining UnitedHealth Group in 2004. Before being named CEO, he led government programs for UnitedHealthcare, including Medicare.
He previously worked at PwC.
UnitedHealth Group started its annual Investor Conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, which was scheduled to run until 11 a.m. UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty ended the conference early around 9:09 a.m.
“We’re dealing with a very serious… situation,” he said. “We’re going to have to bring to a close the event today… I apologize for bringing things to a close but I hope you’ll understand.”
In a statement, UnitedHealth Group said the company was “shocked” by the morning’s events.