Gunman Who Killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Left Bag Behind, Likely Left NYC, Police Say
Gunman Who Killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Likely Fled NYC by Bus, Police Say
The gunman responsible for the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson likely fled New York City by bus after the shocking ambush that has unsettled corporate America, police revealed on Friday. However, he left behind a significant clue: a backpack discovered in Central Park.
Three days after the targeted attack, investigators remain without a name or motive for the suspect. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said authorities are exploring whether the shooter could be a disgruntled employee or client of the company.
Surveillance footage shows the suspect fleeing the scene on a bicycle, entering Central Park, and later taking a taxi to a bus terminal serving destinations such as New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington, D.C. Despite video evidence of the suspect entering the bus station, there is no footage of him leaving, leading police to believe he left the city.
CNN first reported that the shooter may have escaped NYC by bus.
On Friday, investigators recovered the suspect’s backpack during an extensive search of Central Park. Authorities have not disclosed its contents but confirmed the bag will be analyzed for clues.
The gunman, who concealed his identity with a mask throughout his time in the city, arrived in New York on November 24. Ten days later, he ambushed Thompson outside a hotel where UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor conference was being held, just blocks from Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center.
Police say the gunman arrived on a bus originating in Atlanta but have not determined where he boarded. During his stay in NYC, the suspect paid cash and used fake identification to check into a hostel near Columbia University. Surveillance photos captured him briefly unmasked in the hostel lobby—the only known instance where he removed his mask.
Investigators are analyzing DNA evidence from a discarded water bottle and protein bar wrapper along the suspect’s escape route. Additionally, they are working to extract information from a cellphone found nearby.
Security footage of the shooting shows the suspect approaching Thompson from behind, firing several shots with a silenced weapon. Police are investigating whether the firearm was a veterinary pistol, often used for euthanizing animals, although this has not been confirmed.
A chilling detail emerged from the scene: the words “delay,” “deny,” and “depose” were scrawled on the ammunition. These phrases resemble the criticism often directed at insurance companies accused of delaying payments, denying claims, and defending their actions.
Thompson, a father of two from a Minneapolis suburb, had been with UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and served as CEO for over three years. The company, which covers over 49 million Americans, abruptly canceled its investor conference following the tragedy.
UnitedHealth Group stated it is focused on supporting Thompson’s family, ensuring employee safety, and cooperating with investigators. The shooting has prompted the health insurance industry to reevaluate security measures, with some companies temporarily closing offices or removing executives’ photos from websites out of caution.
