Manhunt underway after American health insurance boss shot dead outside New York hotel

[EnterpriseSovereign]

Manhunt underway after American health insurance boss shot dead outside New York hotel

The CEO of an American insurance company has been killed in what police believe was a "targeted shooting" outside a New York hotel.

Brian Thompson, 50, was on the way to UnitedHealthcare's annual investor conference when he was fatally shot by a gunman on Wednesday morning.

No arrests have been made, and the New York Police Department are continuing their search for the perpetrator, who lay in wait for Mr Thompson for around ten minutes before firing from about six metres away.

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the incident did not seem to be a "random act of violence".

She said: “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target."

Mr Thompson was shot at least once in the back and once in the calf, and was taken to hospital in a critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead.

The suspect, dressed in a hoodie and grey backpack, fled down and alleyway before cycling into Central Park on an e-bike.

The ongoing search has involved police drones, helicopters and search dogs, and a reward of up to $10,000 (£7,864) for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Investigators recovered several 9mm shell casings from outside the hotel and a mobile phone from the alleyway through which the suspect fled.

Mr Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that the executive told her "there were some people that had been threatening him.” She said she didn't have details, but suggested they may have involved issues with insurance coverage.

In a statement, UnitedHealth Group said: “We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.

“Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him."

A spokesperson for the New York Hilton Hotel, where Mr Thompson was walking towards when he was shot, said they were "deeply saddened" by the events.

It continued: "Our thoughts are with all affected by the tragedy. Additional questions should be directed to the New York Police Department."

UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, ended its scheduled conference on Wednesday morning, due to what they called a “very serious medical situation with one of our team members".

Mr Thompson has been CEO of UnitedHealthcare for more than three years, and joined the company in 2004.

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The company is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the country, and also manages health insurance coverage for state and federally funded Medicaid programs.

Tim Walz, governor of Mr Thompson's home state of Minnesota, said he was sending prayers to his family and UnitedHealthcare.

“This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota,” he said.

[Raw Shark]

Yeah, that's terrible. Couldn'tve happened to a nicer guy. Thoughts and prayers.

[Batman]

Just this once, I think nothing but thoughts and prayers is the appropriate response.

[Raw Shark]

Nothing but thoughts and prayers. Nothing at all.

[Batman]

Wait. I'm a Vigilante. Haven't I 'already' said 'to hell with all those rules and laws and regulations'? Why do I still feel the perpetrator should be found and prosecuted despite having done the world a favour?

[Raw Shark]

Wait. I'm a Vigilante. Haven't I 'already' said 'to hell with all those rules and laws and regulations'? Why do I still feel the perpetrator should be found and prosecuted despite having done the world a favour?

We have more in common than you might think, my guy. I might not believe in God or the law much, but I do believe in justice. No doubt there. Swift, abrupt justice. Nothing more pure than it. I don't feel bad helping it a little.

Just two fists and a wicked grin. That's what I've got.

[Zwinmar]

Nothing of value was lost

[Solauren]

Wait. I'm a Vigilante. Haven't I 'already' said 'to hell with all those rules and laws and regulations'? Why do I still feel the perpetrator should be found and prosecuted despite having done the world a favour?

The favor would have been if the man had survived, and needed medical care for the rest of his life, so he could see how much it actually cost, and what is insurance didn't cover.

This was just a waste of life.

[LadyTevar]

From the BBC:

Words on shell casings 'meticulously written' with marker pen
published at 10:40
10:40
As we reported earlier, police confirmed there were words on three shell casings found at the scene of the fatal shooting of Brian Thompson.

The BBC's US partner CBS News is now reporting that the words - "deny", "defend" and "depose" - were meticulously written, not etched, onto the casings, according to a source briefed on the investigation.

I thought someone said the killer had policed his brass, but here we see the killer wrote his thoughts and prayers on the bullets beforehand. I wonder if we'll ever hear what they mean.

[muse]

Gunshot was a pre-existing condition, coverage denied. The hospital was also out of network so a $50,000 service fee shall be added to the bill.

[LadyTevar]

Gunshot was a pre-existing condition, coverage denied. The hospital was also out of network so a $50,000 service fee shall be added to the bill.

Someone reported that Hospital was "out of network" because UHC hadn't paid any of the bills that hospital had sent to UHC.

[Solauren]

Gunshot was a pre-existing condition, coverage denied. The hospital was also out of network so a $50,000 service fee shall be added to the bill.

Someone reported that Hospital was "out of network" because UHC hadn't paid any of the bills that hospital had sent to UHC.

MAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Meaning, his family is going to get the bills, and then the Hospital might refuse to accept payment from UHC! MAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

[Raw Shark]

That wasn't real, we're just cracking jokes at this point. Man's already dead; nothing else we can do.

[Zaune]

I wonder what percentage of the NYPD officers out looking for the shooter right now have had personal experience with United Healthcare's brand of bullshit. (Apparently their latest wheeze is to try and cap how many hours of anaesthesia per operation they'll cover, for which I truly have no words.)

I wonder what they'll do if they do catch sight of him.

I know what I'd do.

[Raw Shark]

I wonder what percentage of the NYPD officers out looking for the shooter right now have had personal experience with United Healthcare's brand of bullshit. (Apparently their latest wheeze is to try and cap how many hours of anaesthesia per operation they'll cover, for which I truly have no words.)

I wonder what they'll do if they do catch sight of him.

I know what I'd do.

I'd still catch him, because it'd be my job, but I'd be sure to thank him as I loaded him into the cruiser.

[PainRack]

I wonder what percentage of the NYPD officers out looking for the shooter right now have had personal experience with United Healthcare's brand of bullshit. (Apparently their latest wheeze is to try and cap how many hours of anaesthesia per operation they'll cover, for which I truly have no words.)

I wonder what they'll do if they do catch sight of him.

I know what I'd do.

That wasn't them. That was Blue Cross Blue Shields, trying to claim that was to prevent anaesthetist from over claiming time.

You know，doctor only spent an hour with patient, claims 3 hours instead.


Which does exist.

.I wonder what UHC argument was when CMS tried to crucify them.
https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/ ... lled-rule/
For over billing Medicare Advantage by adding false diagnosis of cancer and etc (note, some of this was due to obsolete codes, such as cancer has been cured. )


Oh right,

In a court filing, UnitedHealth Group denies wrongdoing and argues it shouldn’t be penalized for “failing to follow a rule that CMS considered a decade ago but declined to adopt.”

It's not our fault you didn't bothered to double check our billing.

[3-Body Problem]

Even if I was in a position to know the shooter, sharing the info with law enforcement is out of my network.

[Elfdart]

This reminds me of when I heard Jeffrey Dahmer had been killed in prison. At the time I had a good laugh and that was it. But then, Dahmer never did anything to me or my kin and friends. In comparison, United Healthcare is the reason I had to pay $200 upfront when I was treated for pneumonia back in 2019, even though my policy had no co-pay since I'd met my deductible. See, hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices have been stiffed by United so many times that they demand payment in advance now. So today I'll have two good laughs. Fuck that guy.

[LadyTevar]

BBC News Update

The new appeal came as US media reported a backpack thought to belong to the suspect recovered near the scene contained a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and paper money from the board game Monopoly.

And that's about the only new bit of news they have right now.

[Rogue 9]

Monopoly money in the bag? He's taunting them. If that's his mode, he's going to overplay it and get caught eventually. If he's smart he'll disappear and leave it there.

[bilateralrope]

A lot of people don't seem to want him caught:

UnitedHealthcare CEO May Have Hired His Own Killer—Former Police Commander

Why top internet sleuths say they won't help find the UnitedHealthcare CEO killer


Does anyone know which health insurance company covers the police that are investigating this ?

Because if it's UHC, I can see the police having trouble finding a motivation to catch this killer.

[Zaune]

I wonder how big a co-pay his widow is getting stuck with right now, because apparently the hospital he was taken to was out of network.

I mean, they had Thompson's position up on LinkedIn within 48 hours and apparently it's already been filled, so they clearly aren't burdened with sentimentality towards one of their own.

[LadyTevar]

Monopoly money in the bag? He's taunting them. If that's his mode, he's going to overplay it and get caught eventually. If he's smart he'll disappear and leave it there.

It seems the backpack was dumped in Central Park as he was exiting. They think they have him on video catching a cab outside of Central Park and again at a Bus Terminal leaving the city for parts unknown.

[Zaune]

Assuming it wasn't planted by someone else to muddy the waters, or entirely unrelated to the shooting, because it wasn't found until three days later.

[Ralin]

Monopoly money in the bag? He's taunting them. If that's his mode, he's going to overplay it and get caught eventually. If he's smart he'll disappear and leave it there.

What's the joke though? People are acting as if it's some sort of own but I don't get it.