Companies across America are trying to find ways to protect their own CEOs following the December 4 assassination of UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Brian Thompson in New York.
In the wake of the 50-year-old CEO’s murder, companies have considered hiring fake intruders to highlight potential lapses in security details, said Tim Gallagher, chief security officer at research firm Nardello.
Gallagher told the Wall Street Journal that a company, for example, asked a paid fake intruder to take a photo of an executive up close.
‘[The idea is] show them, “Hey, if this is a bad guy, you’re dead,” he added.
Many CEOs have previously moved without an extensive security team, finding it unnecessary or too intrusive, but that may be changing as major companies rethink their approach.
However, corporate events have already led to increased security measures, including those from Goldman Sachs, which brought in extra security for a recent conference in Lower Manhattan.
During the event, posters encouraging further violence against CEOs were torn down by security guards, who were advised to remain on high alert.
The menacing posters were plastered on Canal Street – one of Manhattan’s busiest thoroughfares – flanked by the red and black words: “Wanted. Denying medical care for corporate profits. Healthcare CEOs should not feel safe.”
Companies across America are trying to find ways to protect their own CEOs following the December 4 assassination of UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Brian Thompson in New York
Suspected gunman Luigi Mangione, 26, appeared in court earlier this week to fight his extradition to New York’s Rikers Island from a Pennsylvania prison
The signs also included the phrase that suspected shooter Luigi Mangione had written on the bullets found at the crime scene: “Denial. Defend. To take off.’
The alliterative trio of words refers to a book by Jay Feinman titled “Delay, Defend, Deny: Why Insurance Company Don’t Pay Claims, and What You Can Do About It.”
In response to Thompson’s killing, many other health insurers removed information about their top executives from their company websites, canceled in-person meetings and advised all employees to work from home temporarily.
Robert D’Amico, founder of Sierra One Consulting who previously worked for the FBI, said the removal showed they had listened to security experts.
D’Amico said, “These companies hear what experts like me say about how easy it is to identify and then find their managers.”
A New York Police Department bulletin warned that the wave of online unrest could indicate a “heightened threat” or copycat killings.
Paul Sarnese, owner of Secured & Prepared Consulting and former president of the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety, told USA today: ‘I think this is a wake-up call for many. I see this as a lightning rod to change the security landscape.”
Some companies extend security protection beyond the workplace and pay for teams to monitor online or digital threats. They may also pay for private jets, home surveillance systems, provide trained drivers or security teams while on vacation.
Mark Zuckerberg received security benefits worth $23.4 million to cover personal travel security, multiple residences and protection for his family
The three-page manifesto found on Mangione at the time of his arrest claimed that the United States had the “most expensive health care system in the world,” but condemned the system for making America only 42nd in life expectancy.
Mangione was arrested on firearms charges and was carrying a ‘ghost gun’, believed to be made with a 3D printer, when he was arrested
For example, Mark Zuckerberg received security benefits worth $23.4 million to cover the security of personal travel, multiple residences, and protection of his family.
Allowable carrying of weapons is also taken into account, as protection teams are considered private citizens and laws vary by state and local jurisdiction.
In New York, security guards are not allowed to raise a firearm unless they are about to be injured or shot, and must retreat unless they cannot, according to the International Security Services.
However, Thompson was found to have had a security guard with him while in New York City.
The CEO of United Healthcare had an internal security team assigned to him during his stay in Manhattan, but they were not with him at the time of the fatal shooting.
Thompson’s suspected killer, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, was arrested days later at a McDonald’s with a three-page manifesto.
In the manifesto, Mangione is said to have written about the enormous size of UnitedHealthcare and how much profit it makes, and to have condemned health insurers more broadly for putting profit above care.
Mangione is currently fighting extradition to Rikers from the Huntingdon State Correctional Facility in Pennsylvania.
However, Thompson was found to have had a security guard with him while in New York City. United Healthcare CEO had an internal security team assigned to him during his stay in Manhattan, but they were not with him at the time of the fatal shooting
Police sources told the San Francisco Chronicle that an officer from the SFPD’s Special Victims Unit made the connection on December 5, the day after the NYPD released surveillance images of the suspect.
His first court appearance took place on Tuesday, where he shouted at reporters outside the courthouse.
Mangione was heard shouting, “Completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people and their experiences!”
The outburst occurred after someone asked the Ivy League graduate if he “did it,” referring to the murder of Brian Thompson, according to the Wall Street Journal.
He also shouted, “This is completely unjust and an insult to the American people,” as he struggled with police officers while shackled and in prison garb.
The investigation into the murder is ongoing as fingerprints found at the scene match the suspected killer.
Police also recently discovered that Mangione appears to have never had insurance with United Healthcare.
“We have no indication that he was ever a customer of United Healthcare, but he does mention that it is the fifth largest company in America, which would make it the largest healthcare organization in America,” Joseph Kenny, chief of detectives at the NYPD, to NBC. .
‘He knew in advance that the conference took place on that date, at that location. So that may be why he focused on that company.”
Mangione has had fan accounts, memes and video edits made for him, accompanied by thousands of messages referring to the alleged killer as a ‘hero’
Kenny said the gun found in Mangione’s bag also matched shell casings found at the scene.
‘We brought it with us [the gun] to our forensic laboratory, where we were able to match that weapon to the three bullet casings recovered at the scene. So it was a ballistic match,” Kenny said.
Meanwhile, it has also emerged that officers from the San Francisco Police Department recognized Mangione and contacted the FBI four days before his arrest.
Police sources told the San Francisco Chronicle that an officer from the SFPD’s Special Victims Unit made the connection on December 5, the day after the NYPD released surveillance images of the suspect.
Despite allegedly reporting the connection the same day Mangione was arrested on November 9, New York authorities insisted he was not on their radar.
Mangione’s arrest made international headlines and set off a social media frenzy, with many wondering how a handsome 26-year-old computer programmer from a wealthy, Ivy League-educated family became an alleged murderer.
The suspected killer has been hailed as a “hero” by many online users, who have created fan accounts, video edits and memes of him.