The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside the New York Hilton in Midtown Manhattan has left the city reeling; new evidence, including messages on bullet casings, might provide clues into a case that appears as intricate as it is alarming.
Thompson was shot multiple times on Wednesday morning, around 6:40 a.m., by an individual who police say carried out a "brazen targeted attack" that unfolded within the sightlines of bustling Sixth Avenue, detectives recovered three live rounds and an equal number of spent shell casings from a 9mm weapon at the crime scene; it's been reported by ABC News that the casings were marked with the words "deny," "defend," and "depose."
Investigators are piecing together the shooter's escape plan, which may have included the strategic placement of an e-bike for a swift departure through the hustle of New York's morning rush, and the NYPD is examining a cellphone found along the suspect's route for potential leads, this is in addition to other items like a water bottle and two power bar wrappers found at a Starbucks that could yield forensic evidence, The Daily Beast reports.
Video surveillance shows a suspect, described as 6'1" with a slender build, clad in a black jacket, hat, ski mask, and backpack; they were seen shooting Thompson before fleeing via Ziegfeld Alleyway, the gun jammed during the attack but the assailant managed to quickly clear it and continue firing as "he was able to clear the malfunction pretty quickly," NYPD Chief Joseph Kenny remarked in a statement obtained by ABC News.
While the motive remains unclear, the shooter's actions leave a chilling message open to interpretation; the high-profile victim, a father and a prominent figure in the health insurance industry, was in town for an investor conference that never commenced due to the tragedy, Thompson's family shared their profound loss and requested privacy during this difficult time, the words of the widow Paulette Thompson echoed the family's grief: "We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian," as she recounted to ABC News.
The search for Thompson's killer continues, with authorities putting forward a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, reflections on the case evoke concern for Thompson's children and a broader contemplation of the security of those walking the corridors of power in an age where prominence can be a precursor to vulnerability.
