December 4th 2024.
Tragic news has struck the business world as UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot outside a Manhattan hotel. Authorities believe this was a targeted attack, according to New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Thompson, aged 50, was scheduled to speak at an investor conference when he was gunned down on Wednesday morning. The shooter fled on foot and then used an e-bike to escape into Central Park, as reported by the New York Police Department.
Despite being rushed to the hospital, Thompson could not be saved. As of late morning, the shooter was still at large and no arrests had been made. While investigators believe this was a targeted attack, they have yet to determine a motive. Mayor Eric Adams stated that evidence, including video footage, is being reviewed and the individual responsible will be apprehended.
UnitedHealthcare is a subsidiary of the health care giant UnitedHealth Group, based in Minnesota. The company was hosting its annual investor conference in New York City, with the intention of updating Wall Street on their plans for the coming year. Attendees were informed on Wednesday morning that the conference would be ending early.
The shooting took place outside the New York Hilton Midtown, a popular tourist spot just a short walk from the Museum of Modern Art and Rockefeller Centre. The area is often bustling with tourists and office workers during weekday mornings. In fact, the annual Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree lighting was set to take place on Wednesday evening.
The scene of the shooting was cordoned off with police tape and a large number of officers were present. The area is also heavily monitored by security cameras. Thompson had been CEO for three years and had been with the company since 2004. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed his condolences, tweeting that the state was keeping Thompson's family and the UnitedHealthcare team in their thoughts and prayers. He also added that this was a terrible loss for the business and healthcare community in Minnesota.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the US and manages health insurance coverage for employers and state- and federally-funded Medicaid programs. For the latest news, sports, politics, and weather, be sure to download the 9NEWS app on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Stay informed and receive notifications straight to your smartphone.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
