Brian Thompson Shooting: 2 New Images of the Alleged Killer

Latest: 2 New Images of the Alleged Killer

Following the heinous Midtown murder, the NYPD unveiled new images of the alleged killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Saturday night. One of the images shows Thompson sitting in a taxi, wearing a mask.

In one picture, the suspect appears to be peering through a divider window to speak with the driver while staring straight into a camera.

After carrying out the horrific murder outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown, the suspect reportedly took a cab out of the Central Park neighborhood, but police were unable to confirm whether the photo was taken during that particular ride.

In one picture, the suspect appears to be peering through a divider window to speak with the driver while staring straight into a camera.DCPI

Another image, which is also a screen grab of footage taken from a car, shows the murderer strolling down the street while sporting a black down jacket and hoodie.

Brian Thompson Shooting - New Photo of Gunman

Investigators announced on Friday that the person of interest in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson is believed to have left New York City.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told CNN that surveillance footage captured the suspect fleeing the crime scene on a bike before taking a taxi to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. “We don’t have any video of him exiting, so we believe he may have boarded a bus,” Kenny stated.

Later on Friday evening, police discovered the suspect’s distinctive gray backpack in Central Park, according to the Associated Press. The backpack has been sent to a forensics lab for analysis, as reported by The New York Times. Additional items, including clothing, were also recovered from the park and are being examined as part of the investigation.

Here’s What We Know So Far:

• Bus Travel: The suspect arrived in New York City via a Greyhound bus before the shooting. The bus originated in Atlanta, though it remains unclear whether the suspect boarded there or at another stop along the route. Surveillance footage captured the suspect disembarking at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan around 9 p.m. on November 24.

• Fake ID: Investigators believe the suspect arrived in New York on November 24, 10 days before the shooting, and initially checked into a hostel on the Upper West Side. He left the hostel on November 29 but returned the next day, using a fake New Jersey driver’s license for re-entry. During his stay, the suspect is thought to have shared a multi-person room with two other men and kept his mask on for most of the time.

• Flirting Reveals Key Clue: A woman working at the hostel told authorities that the suspect briefly lowered his mask when she flirted with him and asked to see his smile. Surveillance cameras captured clear images of him during this moment, which have since been released by police.

• Potential Sources of DNA Evidence: Police recovered a smudged fingerprint from a water bottle left behind by the gunman at the scene of the shooting. While not entirely conclusive, it remains a critical piece of evidence. A cellphone and the water bottle, both found near the site, are believed to belong to the suspect and may have been dropped during his escape.

• Possible Motive: Investigators discovered the words “delay” and “depose” engraved on a live round and a shell casing linked to the shooter. These terms are being analyzed for potential motives, with one theory connecting them to the common insurance industry phrase, “delay, deny, defend.”

• Tracking Through Surveillance Footage: Authorities are piecing together the suspect’s movements through multiple surveillance videos. One clip shows a man matching the description on West 55th Street shortly before the fatal attack. Another video places the suspect on West 85th Street around 7 a.m. ET on the morning of the shooting. These videos are aiding law enforcement in mapping his activities in the city.

Latest Investigation: Gunman Allegedly Smiled While Flirting With Hostel Employee

Authorities are reportedly closing in on the identity of the suspect involved in the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan.

On Thursday, police released surveillance images of the suspect taken at the HI New York City Hostel on West 103rd Street in the Upper West Side. According to police sources, the man appeared to have shared a room at the hostel with two other individuals.

Investigators managed to obtain a clear image of the suspect without his mask thanks to an interaction with the hostel employee who checked him in. Police sources revealed that the man flirted with the woman at the check-in desk, and at her request to see his smile, he briefly pulled down his mask. This moment allowed the surveillance camera to capture an unobstructed view of his face.

Detectives have since canvassed other hostels in the area, sharing the suspect’s image with staff and guests. Police determined that the suspect checked into the hostel using a New Jersey driver’s license that does not belong to him. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to confirm his identity.

New photos of suspect's face released

On Thursday, authorities released surveillance images of the suspect captured at the HI New York City Hostel on West 103rd Street in the Upper West Side. According to police sources, the suspect is believed to have shared a room at the hostel with two other men.

The NYPD has secured a warrant to search the premises and is actively investigating the location. Detectives are also canvassing other hostels and establishments in the Upper West Side and surrounding areas, distributing the suspect’s photo as part of their efforts to confirm his identity.

Who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson? What we know about the suspect on the run

The Assassin

The assassin shot Brian Thompson multiple times outside the Hilton Midtown Hotel in Manhattan on the morning of December 4, 2024. Witnesses reported hearing muffled gunshots as the assassin, wearing a mask and wielding a silenced firearm, ambushed Thompson in what authorities have described as a targeted attack. Thompson, 52, was pronounced dead at the scene. The attacker fled on an electric bike and has yet to be apprehended.

Law enforcement officials, including the NYPD and FBI, are treating the incident as a homicide. Initial investigations indicate that the attack was premeditated, with the shooter lying in wait for Thompson.

The Investigation So Far

The investigation into Thompson's assassination has become a top priority for law enforcement. Key developments include:

Electronic Evidence: Analysts are focusing on the phone found near the scene to uncover potential communications, GPS data, and other clues.

Eyewitness Testimonies: Police have interviewed multiple witnesses who reported seeing the suspect flee on a dark-colored electric bike.

Wider Conspiracy: The use of a silenced firearm, pre-engraved shell casings, and coordinated timing suggest a well-planned operation. Investigators are examining whether the assassin acted alone or was part of a larger conspiracy.

Threat Letters: Authorities are reviewing threatening letters and emails received by Thompson in the weeks prior to his death. These messages may provide a motive or lead to suspects.

Corporate Ties: Detectives are delving into Thompson’s professional dealings, including recent lawsuits, mergers, and policy decisions, to determine if any could have provoked the attack.

Identifying the Suspect

Assassin's Portrait

Authorities have released surveillance footage and descriptions of the suspect. The individual is described as a man with a light complexion, wearing a cream-colored jacket, black mask, and carrying a gray backpack. The footage shows the suspect calmly waiting near the hotel entrance before carrying out the attack and escaping into nearby streets.

The NYPD has asked for public assistance in identifying the assailant, offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to their capture. The department has also deployed advanced facial recognition technology to analyze available footage, though the mask worn by the perpetrator complicates identification efforts.

Next Steps in the Investigation

The NYPD, in collaboration with federal agencies, has launched a citywide manhunt for the assassin. The use of drones, helicopters, and canine units underscores the urgency of the search. Police Commissioner John Doe assured the public that every resource is being deployed to bring the perpetrator to justice.

Authorities have also urged anyone with relevant information to come forward. Anonymous tips can be submitted via a dedicated hotline or through the NYPD’s crime-stoppers app.

Suspicious Behavior Before the Shooting: On Phone Moments

The suspect, wearing a black jacket, hat, ski mask, and gray backpack, was seen talking on the phone while walking East on 54th Street around 6:30 a.m.

One intriguing detail emerged from surveillance footage: the assassin was seen using a smartphone shortly before opening fire. Investigators are exploring the possibility that the shooter was receiving live instructions or coordinating with accomplices. This theory has led to the seizure of a phone found near the crime scene, which is currently undergoing forensic analysis. Authorities hope the device will provide critical insights into the suspect's communications and motives.

The masked assassin who fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a luxury Midtown hotel on Wednesday morning was seen on surveillance footage apparently talking on the phone just moments before the attack.

The footage, obtained by ABC 7, shows a man matching the suspect's description—wearing a dark-colored jacket, hat, ski mask, and carrying a gray backpack—holding a phone to his right ear as he walked east along 54th Street toward the Hilton Hotel on Sixth Avenue at approximately 6:30 a.m., less than 15 minutes before the shooting.

According to the NYPD, the killer arrived at the location about five minutes prior to the incident and positioned himself to ambush his target.

Cryptic Messages on Shell Casings

Police recovered shell casings from the scene with unusual engravings. Each casing bore a single word: "deny," "depose," and "defend." Detectives are investigating the significance of these inscriptions. Analysts speculate they may hint at a motive tied to corporate or legal disputes involving Thompson or his role at UnitedHealthcare.

Evidence: Phone, Water Bottle, Candy Wrapper

Following the shooting, the suspect fled on foot into a nearby alley, where a cellphone was later recovered, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. The gunman then escaped on an electric bike and was last seen riding into Central Park at approximately 6:48 a.m., police reported.

The NYPD released photos of the suspect both holding a firearm and riding the e-bike. Additional surveillance images, captured at a Starbucks near the hotel prior to the attack, show the suspect wearing a black mask. Descriptions from the footage indicate the individual was dressed in a light brown or cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black-and-white sneakers, and a "very distinctive" gray backpack.

Sources told ABC News that earlier surveillance footage captured the suspect as early as 5 a.m. outside the Frederick Douglass Houses, a public housing complex on the Upper West Side. Detectives also recovered a water bottle and a candy wrapper near the alley where the suspect appeared to have waited prior to the attack. Investigators believe these items, along with the cellphone, are directly connected to the shooter after preliminary forensic analysis.

The NYPD is collaborating with the U.S. Marshals Service to track the fugitive, while the FBI is using its advanced technology to extract potential data from the recovered cellphone.

Meanwhile, investigators have accessed Thompson’s hotel room to scrutinize his most recent activities and communications, as determining his last interactions remains a top priority in uncovering the motive behind the assassination.

Potential Motives

Thompson had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare since 2021 and was instrumental in expanding the company’s influence in the healthcare insurance sector. However, his tenure was not without controversy. UnitedHealthcare faced lawsuits over denied claims and disputes with healthcare providers. Some speculate these challenges may have contributed to threats against Thompson.

Family members have revealed that Thompson received several anonymous threats in the weeks leading up to his death. While they initially dismissed them as a common occurrence in high-profile positions, these threats are now central to the investigation. Police are working to trace the origin of these communications.

The Scene and Immediate Response

The location of the assassination, one of Manhattan’s busiest hotels, underscores the boldness of the attack. Despite heavy foot traffic and the presence of security cameras, the assassin managed to evade capture. Witnesses described the perpetrator as composed, moving swiftly and without panic.

Emergency responders arrived within minutes, but Thompson had already succumbed to his injuries. Forensic teams cordoned off the area, collecting evidence including the aforementioned shell casings, tire marks from the suspect’s electric bike, and a discarded mask believed to belong to the attacker.

Corporate and Community Reactions

UnitedHealthcare issued a statement expressing profound grief over the loss of Thompson. "Brian was a visionary leader whose contributions shaped the future of healthcare. His dedication to improving access to quality care was unparalleled," the statement read.

Industry leaders, colleagues, and employees have mourned his passing, with many emphasizing his role in advancing healthcare innovation. Community advocates, however, have pointed out the controversies that marked Thompson’s leadership, particularly regarding denied claims and profit-focused policies.

The assassination has reignited debates about the safety of corporate executives and the pressures associated with leading major organizations. Some commentators argue that Thompson's high-profile position made him a target, while others speculate deeper personal or political motives.

Community Impact

The murder of a prominent corporate leader in such a brazen manner has left the public unsettled. Residents and business owners in Manhattan have expressed concern over safety, particularly in light of recent high-profile crimes. The incident has also sparked discussions about the mental and emotional toll on those in leadership roles.

Social media has been abuzz with speculation, theories, and condolences. Some users have drawn parallels to other unsolved corporate-related crimes, while others demand greater accountability from major corporations like UnitedHealthcare.

Conclusion

The assassination of Brian Thompson is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by high-profile figures and the complexities of modern crime. As the investigation unfolds, questions about motives, potential accomplices, and the broader implications of this tragedy remain unanswered.

While the case is far from resolved, the relentless efforts of law enforcement offer hope that justice will soon be served. For now, the healthcare industry, corporate America, and Thompson’s loved ones are left grappling with the loss of a leader whose life was cut tragically short.

Note: This case is still developing. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.