UnitedHealthcare CEO fatally shot in Manhattan, reports say

Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth’s insurance coverage unit, used to be fatally shot in the chest on Wednesday morning outside the Hilton lodge in midtown Long island, plenty of media retailers reported, citing police officials.

The Unusual York Police Department stated a man used to be shot in front of the Hilton’s tackle around 6:40am ET (1140 GMT) and used to be pronounced unnecessary at a shut-by sanatorium, nonetheless failed to verify the victim’s identity.

Investigators told CNN that the gunman used to be ready in the deliver for a whereas sooner than Thompson’s arrival, and the Unusual York Times reported that police observe the attack as centered.

Police had been aloof buying for the suspect, who fled on foot carrying a shadowy face cloak and a gray backpack, the Times reported.

UnitedHealth Group used to be hosting a scheduled investor occasion at the Hilton on Wednesday, nonetheless Chief Government Andrew Witty took the stage about one hour after its originate to bid it used to be cancelling the remainder of the program.

“We’re going by a truly serious scientific anxiousness with indisputably one of our group individuals, and as a result, I’m anxious we’re going to want to bring to a shut the occasion at the brand new time,” UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty stated.

UnitedHealth failed to acknowledge to a ask of for comment.

Thompson used to be named UnitedHealthcare CEO in April 2021 after working at the firm since 2004 in plenty of departments, in accordance with the firm’s web situation.

UnitedHealthcare is a unit of UnitedHealth Group.