The researchers They were looking for clues to help them identify the masked gunman who stalked and murdered the CEO of one of the largest health insurance companies in the United States. on a Manhattan sidewalk, then disappearing into Central Park.
The CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, 50 years old, died in an ambush early Wednesday morning when addressing the company’s annual investor conference in a Hilton from Midtown, just a few blocks from tourist attractions such as Radio City Music Hall and the Museum of Modern Art.
The murder and the shooter’s movements in the minutes before and after were captured by some of the multiple security cameras what’s in that part of the city.
A video showed how he approached Thompson from behind, leveled his gun and fired several shotswith a pause to clear a brief jam in the gun, as the dying health executive fell to the pavement.
Other security cameras captured the first moments of his escape: He left the place crossing a pedestrian plaza and then escaped on a bicycle to Central Park, where he lost track of him.
The police used drones, helicopters and dogs in the extensive search device, but the killer still missing late at night.
The New York City Police Department, Jessica Tablesaid that although investigators had not yet established a motive, The shooting was not a random act of violence.
“Many people walked past the suspect, but he seemed to wait for his target.”Tisch said at a news conference Wednesday.
“When watching the video, it seems that master the use of firearms as he was able to resolve the malfunctions fairly quickly,” said Joseph Kenny, police chief of detectives.
the police released several images from surveillance camerasin which the man was wearing a hooded jacket and a mask that covered most of his face and would not have attracted attention on a cold winter day. Some of the photos were taken at a Starbucks coffee shop shortly before the shooting.
The murder took place hours before the annual lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Centera few blocks away, a televised event that draws crowds. The lighting was carried out as plannedalthough under strong security measures.
The police offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.
Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, he pointed out in statements to the television station NBC News what he had told her “that there were some people who had threatened him”. He had no details, but suggested the threats could have been related to problems with insurance coverage.
Investigators recovered several 9mm bullet casings outside the hotel and a cell phone in the alley through which the shooter fled. They were also searching Thompson’s hotel room, interviewing his UnitedHealthcare colleagues and checking his social media, Kenny said.
Furthermore, in the bushings found at the crime scene the detectives discovered the words “deny”, “defend” and “depose”According to police sources, ABC News.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest plan provider Medicare Advantage in the United States and manages health insurance coverage for employers and federally and state-funded Medicaid programs.
The company has been dealing with aftermath of a massive data hack of its Change Healthcare unit, which provides technology to American healthcare providers, which has disrupted medical care for patients and reimbursement for doctors for months.
(With information from AP and Reuters)
