UnitedHealthcare CEO shot and killed outside New York hotel with gunman on the run

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The CEO of a huge healthcare company has been murdered outside a Hilton hotel in New York.

Brian Thompson, was shot dead before an investor meeting on Wednesday, December 4. According to reports he was targeted just before 7am this morning near the New York Hilton Midtown on Sixth Avenue, reports the Mirror.

Mr Thompson became the CEO of UnitedHealthcase in 2021 after he joined the UnitedHealth Group in 2004. Police sources told US media that he was shot in the chest in an alleged targeted attack. UnitedHealthcare is the largest private health insurer in the US and the company is worth more than $550billion (£433billion).

Mr Thompson arrived at the hotel early for a conference when an individual who was allegedly waiting for him shot at the CEO and then fled the scene on a bike. He was raced to the Mt Sinai Hospital in East Harlem in critical condition. The 50-year-old was pronounced dead at the hospital, police confirmed to the New York Post. The publication reported that the investigation is ongoing and no one has been arrested yet.

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Police described the suspect as a white male, wearing a cream-coloured jacket, a black face mask and black and white trainers. The police claimed he was also carrying a grey backpack. Witnesses said the suspect was spotted milling around near the hotel.

Another witness told CBS News that he was sitting inside his car when he heard the gunshots. He said: "I was looking at my phone and I hear the shot. I was shocked, it's the first time I've ever seen a crime right in front of me. Now I fear he could shoot me too."

It is believed that the individual began to fire at Mr Thompson for a distance, striking him multiple times. According to NYC news website PIX11, the UnitedHealth Group started its annual Investor Conference at 8am. The event was due to end at 11am, but just after 9am, an official came out on stage and ended the conference early.

He said: "We're dealing with a very serious situation. We're going to have to bring to a close the event today. I apologise for bringing things to a close but I hope you'll understand." Mr Thompson previously served as UnitedHealth's head of government programmes, including Medicare and Retirement.

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