The suspected shooter who executed a UnitedHealthcare executive outside a New York hotel was spotted ordering at a Starbucks just two blocks from the scene of the killing, the US Sun can confirm.
The masked gunman waited calmly for CEO Brian Thompson, 50, to arrive at an investor conference in midtown Manhattan before opening fire early Wednesday morning.
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The suspected shooter who killed the UnitedHealthcare CEO visited a Starbucks just two blocks from the scene of the killing, US Sun can confirmCredit: NYPD
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Dangerous surveillance caught the suspect executing Brian Thompson as he entered the New York Hilton Midtown on Wednesday around 6:45 a.m. ETCredit: NYPd
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Thompson was just 50 years old when he was killed Credit: UnitedHealth Group
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The CEO was scheduled to host an investor conference and showed up early to prepareCredit: The US Sun
Thompson was mercilessly shot multiple times in the back and leg shortly after 6:45 a.m. as he entered the Hilton Midtown in New York, New York police said.
Creepy surveillance footage obtained by The US Sun shows the moment a masked, hooded gunman allegedly snuck up behind the CEO and fired a series of fatal shots.
The terrified witness, who was a few centimeters away from the shooting, ran to save her life while the suspect was eerily walking into the alley.
After the heartless murder, the suspect got on a nearby e-bike and sped off towards Central Park.
He was last seen on Central Park Drive, which is just outside the park.
Additional surveillance footage released by the NYPD shows the masked suspect standing behind a counter.
The US Sun can confirm that those pictures of the Starbucks are just two streets away from the Hilton Hotel. However, it is not clear whether he visited before or after the shooting.
Starbucks workers declined to comment when shown the surveillance footage.
US Sun has reached out to the coffee brand’s corporate team for comment.
The killer is a light-skinned man about one and a half meters tall with a slim build.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson ‘shot and killed’ outside New York Hilton hotel in ‘targeted attack’
He appeared to be wearing a dark hooded top and dark pants and was carrying a gray backpack.
The NYPD has launched a city-wide manhunt for the killer, and a $10,000 reward is being offered for anyone with information about the murder.
They urged New Yorkers to look out for anything suspicious today, but stressed that the city is still safe.
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Thompson was with the company for 20 years Credit: UnitedHealth Group
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The cups mark the locations where the shell casings were found in front of the hotelCredit: Reuters
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Thomson is survived by his wife Paulette and their two children Credit: Facebook
WOMAN THE HORROR
Thompson ran the largest private health care provider in the US, and his wife Paulette feared it could have put him in danger.
“There were some threats,” she told NBC News.
“Basically, I don’t know, lack of coverage?
– I don’t know the details, I only know that he said that some people threatened him.
Thompson traveled from his home in Minnesota to meet with investors at an 8 a.m. hotel conference.
He crossed the street from the hotel he was staying at without a security detail to show up early and be prepared when he was attacked.
The meeting lasted about an hour until attendees were distracted by the growing police presence outside, Bloomberg News reported.
At the end, Andrew Witty, CEO of parent company UnitedHealth Group, told attendees they were facing a “very serious health situation” and dismissed the crowd.
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The suspect was last seen walking toward Central Park. Credit: NYPD
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Officers urged anyone with information about the murder to call Crime Stoppers. Credit: NYPD
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Paulette said she noticed disturbing warning signs before her husband was killed.Credit: Facebook
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The gunman slowly walked away after shooting the CEO Credit: NYPD
QUEST REQUIRED
So far, officers have found an abandoned mobile phone in an alley while searching for the killer and are now processing it for forensic clues.
The killer escaped on a GPS-trackable bike and officers are working with a company to find out where he went.
Witnesses said the shooting was silent, but police said they could not determine if a silencer was used. They said the footage was too grainy to identify the weapon.
When asked if the shooter appeared to be a hitman, the NYPD said they were not sure, but noted that the suspect appeared to know what he was doing.
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Officers desperately performed CPR before taking Thompson to a nearby hospitalCredit: WNYW
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Officers were seen investigating the scene in one of New York’s busiest neighborhoodsCredit: Reuters
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The suspected gunman was seen leaving the scene on a bicycleCredit: NYPD
A TERRIBLE SCENE
A witness spoke of the horrifying moment Thompson crumpled under a barrage of gunfire.
“I wasn’t paying attention and then I heard a shot,” Amar Abdelmula, a driver who was near the hotel, told WABC. “It was a silent gun, a black gun.”
Abdelmula watched in horror as the shooter ran across the street after firing the shots.
“I tried to take a picture, but too far,” he said.
“I was shocked. It’s the first time I see crime in front of me. I was afraid that he might shoot at me, my car, I saw everything.”
Filming took place just four blocks away from Rockefeller Center, where the well-attended Christmas tree lighting will take place in just a few hours.
The NYPD has stressed to New Yorkers that they will be safe and secure for Wednesday night’s events.
UnitedHealth Group statement on Brian Thompson
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in a brazen attack on December 4 as he was leaving a New York hotel. Parent company UnitedHealth Group released the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened and shocked by the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
“Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him.
“We are working closely with the NYPD and ask for your patience and understanding at this difficult time.
“Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and everyone who was close to him.”
HE REMEMBERED IT ALL
Thompson has been in New York since Monday, and detectives are investigating how the attacker was able to track his movements.
However, it was known that he would be hosting the event, and he was expected to announce that the company is looking forward to a profitable year in 2025.
Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, which is a division of UnitedHealth Group. He was appointed to this position in April 2021.
Prior to becoming CEO, Thompson held various leadership roles within UnitedHealth Group, including positions in finance and operations.
He left behind his wife and their two children, and family members remember him as a hard-working husband and devoted father.
Elene Reveiz, Thompson’s sister-in-law, told the New York Times: “He was a good person, and I’m so sad.”
UnitedHealth Group said it was “deeply saddened” by the news and described Thompson as a “dear friend”.
“Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him,” the company said in a statement.
“We are working closely with the NYPD and ask for your patience and understanding at this difficult time.
“Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and everyone who was close to him.”
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Witnesses say the gunman hung around the scene for about five minutes before pulling out a gun as soon as Thompson arrived Credit: NYPD
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