MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WPIX) – The CEO of UnitedHealthcare was killed in a shooting in NYC on Wednesday morning, sources have confirmed to Nexstar’s WPIX.
Brian Thompson, 50, was shot in the chest just before 7 a.m. near a hotel on 54th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, sources said. The suspect had been waiting for Thompson to arrive at the hotel for an investors meeting, according to sources.
Thompson was rushed to an area hospital and later died. The shooting is being investigated as a possible targeted hit, sources said.
“This was not what appears to be a just random act of violence. It seems to be clearly targeted by an individual and we will apprehend that individual,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said.
Officials addressed the media at a press conference at 11:30 a.m. local time.
“I hear a shot,” a witness told WPIX. “When I look around, I saw a guy with a gun. He shot three times, then he starts running.”
A spokesperson for New York Hilton Midtown said the hotel chain is saddened by Thompson’s death.
“We are deeply saddened by this morning’s events in the area and our thoughts are with all affected by the tragedy,” the hotel spokesperson said.
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.”
No arrests have been made. An investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
This is a developing story.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
