A chilling new detail has emerged in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, when detectives allegedly found the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” inscribed on bullet casings found at the crime scene. The discovery, first reported by ABC Newshas raised questions about whether the suspect was trying to send a message or hint at a motive behind the brazen attack.
The shooting, described by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch as a “brazen and targeted attack,” occurred on Wednesday, December 4, shortly before 6:45 a.m., outside the Hilton Midtown hotel in New York. Thompson, 50, was in town to attend an investor conference when a masked gunman approached him. Tisch said the shooter was “lying in wait,” while Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny described the shooter as “proficient” in handling firearms.
NYPD detectives are now working to determine whether the words found on the shell casings were intended as a message, and some speculate that the phrase could be a reference to “Deny, Delay, Defend,” a common tactic in the insurance industry used to deny claims. . This theory could suggest that the murder was related to Thompson’s role in the healthcare sector.
The shooter, described as a light-skinned man, fired at least three shots, hitting Thompson from behind, in the back and in the leg. After the attack, the suspect fled on an electric Citi Bike in the direction of Central Park. Thompson was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. As of Wednesday afternoon, the gunman remains at large.
The police have released a description of the suspect: a light-skinned man wearing a brown or cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers, and a “very distinctive gray backpack.” The NYPD is offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to his capture.
Authorities also shared three photos of the suspect taken at an undisclosed location, urging the public to contact them at 1-800-577-TIPS. A law enforcement source told the New York Times that the gunman had recently been seen at a Starbucks located about two blocks from the scene of the shooting.
Thompson’s wife, Paulette, revealed in an interview with NBC News that her husband had received threats before his trip to New York. Thompson, who joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004 and became CEO in 2021, had a long history with the company and was highly respected in the healthcare industry. He lived in Minnesota with his wife and two children.
UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, expressed its shock and sadness in a statement, calling Thompson a “highly respected colleague” and pledging to support his family during this difficult time. The loss of the company has reverberated throughout the healthcare industry, as Thompson’s leadership was highly appreciated.