UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s attacker seen in surveillance footage as cops launch urgent manhunt

The NYPD has released chilling images of the killer who killed United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson on the streets of Manhattan.

Thompson, 50, the head of America’s largest health insurer, was fatally shot in the chest and leg outside the Hilton Hotel around 6:45 a.m. by a masked assailant who remains at large.

The NYPD released two images showing the gunman opening fire and then fleeing on a bicycle, while police offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the killer’s arrest.

Witnesses said the suspected gunman was waiting outside the hotel before the shooting, and that he knew which door Thompson would be coming out of before shooting him at close range.

Footage showed NYPD officers performing CPR on the CEO before he was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead.

Thompson was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare in 2021, reportedly making $10 million a year, and for several years before that led the Medicare business within UnitedHealthcare.

He was scheduled to speak at an investor meeting at the Hilton Hotel shortly after the shooting. According to one edition of United Healthcare, he was scheduled to announce the company’s hugely profitable financial outlook for 2025 on Tuesday, including projected revenues of more than $450 billion.

The suspect is on the run and is described as a white male wearing a cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers and a gray backpack.

Sources reportedly said this that Thompson, who lives in Minnesota with his wife and children, was not a guest at the hotel but had arrived early to prepare his presentation.

The gunman apparently knew which door Thompson would come out through and shot him from a few feet away. The suspect then jumped on a bicycle and probably fled to Central Park.

While the suspect was still at large, the NYPD announced a $10,000 reward to anyone with information about the shooting.

It took hours for New Yorkers to gather nearby for the annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center.

Witness Amar Abdelmula, a driver, told PIX11: “I wasn’t paying attention and then I heard the shot. It was a silent gun, a black gun. (I) saw him after he shot him, and he ran across the street. I tried to take a photo, but too far away, not clear.

‘I was shocked. First time I see crime in front of me,” he added. “I was afraid he was going to shoot me too, my car, I saw everything.”

Wednesday morning, a huge police presence arrived on the scene near W. 54th St. and 6th Avenue. The NYPD has not yet released a motive.

Michael Dissen, who was at the hotel for another conference, told DailyMail.com that he heard a “commotion” around 7.05am.

“I just heard all these sirens and I thought, ‘New York City,’ but then I went upstairs and had coffee and I saw everyone looking at their phones and I saw what happened,” he said.

United Healthcare’s annual investor conference reportedly began without interruption on the second floor of the Hilton until news of the shooting began to circulate.

Without knowing it was Thompson who was hit, one participant told the group that “someone got shot outside.”

CEO of parent company United Healthgroup, Andrew Witty, reportedly stopped the meeting at the hotel just after 8 a.m. when he heard of the tragedy.

He told those gathered: “We are dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members. As a result, I’m afraid we’ll have to end the event.”

United is the largest health insurer in America in terms of market share. The company has been the subject of frequent protests from activists for allegedly systematically denying care to patients.

One such protest earlier this year led to the arrest of 11 people outside United Healthcare’s headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

The company made headlines in February after it was subjected to a cyber attack that cost $872 million.

Minnesota leaders paid tribute to Thompson after news of his death was announced, with United Healthcare among the state’s top employers.

Minnesota Governor and 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, who was pictured with Thompson in 2022, said the shooting was “horrific news and a terrible loss for Minnesota’s businesses and health care system.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey added in his own statement: “This is a shocking and devastating loss for our entire community. ‘Shocking’ is the only word I can find at the moment.”

Thompson is survived by his wife, Paulette “Pauley” Thompson, 51, and their two children, who live in the family’s $1.5 million home in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

Mum-of-two Pauley is a practicing physiotherapist for Park Nicollet Health Services with over 20 years of experience.

The mother has previously posted loving photos of herself and her two sons on family vacations, sharing how she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Thompson’s sister Enela Reveiz told the New York Times she was stunned by the news of her brother’s murder.

“He was a good person and I’m so sad,” she said, describing Thompson as a good father to his two children.

A general manager of Hilton Midtown in New York told CNN in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by this morning’s events in the area and our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy. Additional questions should be directed to the New York Police Department.”