Police in New York City provided more information on the suspect who fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Wednesday morning.
What Police Said About Suspect
During a press conference on Wednesday, officials with the New York Police Department (NYPD) shared details about the attack on Thompson, saying that he "was last seen in Central Park on Center Drive early this morning."
"The shooter appears to be a light-skinned male. He's wearing a light brown or cream colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers and a very distinctive gray backpack," Joseph Kenny, NYPD chief of detectives, said.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the incident a "brazen" and "targeted" attack on Thompson, noting that the suspect was "lying in wait" for several minutes before the shooting.
"I want to be clear: At this time, every indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack," Tisch said.
The Shooting
Thompson, 50, was fatally shot Wednesday morning at around 6:45 a.m. ET on the street near a Hilton hotel in Midtown, police said. The New York Post reported that a masked man fired at Thompson and then fled the scene. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Thompson was walking toward the Hilton dressed in a suit and tie when he was fired upon by a gunman who appeared to be lying in wait, police said. The alleged gunman fled on foot to a back alley and then hopped on a bicycle.
Earlier on Wednesday, the NYPD said they believe the shooting was a premeditated and preplanned targeted attack, and that the suspect appeared to be "proficient with firearms" based on surveillance video that captured the attack.
Kenny said officers were "not able to make a determination on whether a silencer was used on that glimpse of video."
"We will not rest until we identify and apprehend the shooter in this case," said Tisch, the NYPD commissioner who was just recently appointed by Mayor Eric Adams. She asked the public for its help and said the reward has been increased to $10,000.
The brazen attack came just as day was breaking in New York City and just blocks away from Rockefeller Center, where the iconic Christmas tree was set to be lit Wednesday evening in an annual televised tradition that brings thousands of spectators to the area.
Police said on Wednesday that the tree lighting will not be impacted by the recent shooting.
UnitedHealthcare Response
Shortly after the shooting, UnitedHealthcare canceled its investor day, CNBC reported.
"I'm afraid that some of you may know we're dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members, and as a result I'm afraid we're going to have to bring to a close the event today, which I apologize for," UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty said as he hastily ended the event just as it was set to kick off.
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