Video has emerged of the moments before the murder of a top healthcare boss on a New York City street in what police believe was a targeted hit.
Brian Thompson is shown walking in Manhattan when the killer appears from behind a car and raises a gun – believed to have been fitted with a silencer – from about 15ft.
After the footage cuts, the gunman is shown running across the street and disappearing. Authorities said the man fled on an electric bike into Central Park.
Mr Thompson was boss of a major US health insurer. Pic: UnitedHealth Group/AP
The attacker fired multiple times at Mr Thompson and continued despite the gun briefly jamming, according to police.
Mr Thompson, 50, was hit at least once in the back and once in the calf during the attack – which happened on Sixth Avenue around 6.45am local time on Wednesday.
He was taken to hospital but couldn’t be saved.
Police issued CCTV images of the suspect
Police commissioner Jessica Tisch said the killer appeared to have been “lying in wait for several minutes” for Mr Thompson.
“This does not appear to be a random act of violence. Every indication is that this was a premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack,” she said.
CCTV images appear to show a white man wearing all-black clothing and carrying a grey backpack.
Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny added: “From watching the video, it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly.”
Pic: NYPD/Reuters
Drones, helicopters and dogs are now involved in the hunt for the killer.
The scene of the shooting is a short walk from tourist sites such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Rockefeller Centre.
Mr Thompson, who lived in Minnesota, was chief executive of UnitedHealthcare and was murdered on his way to its investor conference at a nearby Hilton hotel.
Pic: Reuters
Bullets marked out on the pavement on Sixth Avenue. Pic: AP
The motive for the killing is unclear but his wife told NBC News he had been receiving threats and suggested they may have involved issues with insurance coverage.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in America and manages insurance for employers and state and federally-funded programmes.
The company’s conference started at 8am as planned. However, the chief executive of UnitedHealth Group, Andrew Witty, went on stage after an hour to say events were cancelled.
It later removed photos of the leadership team from its website.
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Mr Thompson had worked for the firm since 2004 and had led the insurance arm since 2021.
“We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time,” a company statement said.
“Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”