The suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson adorned himself with a luxury photographer’s backpack that has sparked wild theories on social media.
The unidentified killer shot and killed Thompson, 50, outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan early Wednesday morning.
Officers have launched a full-scale manhunt for the gunman who was captured on surveillance footage shooting the father-of-two to death in cold blood.
Footage shared by officers shows the suspect inside a Starbucks before the shooting and escaping on a bicycle.
Eagle-eyed social media users have pointed out that the gunman was carrying a luxury backpack that sells for $279 and is well known among photographers.
“They’re made for photographers, but I guess the side access door works well for hitmen too,” one person posted, referring to the design.
The bag is called Everyday Backpack and is made by Peak Design and comes with built-in compartments to keep photography gear separate.
After users pointed out that the shooter was wearing the expensive backpack, some speculated that the killer could also be a photographer.
Officers have launched a full-scale search for the gunman who was captured on surveillance footage shooting and killing the father of two.
Footage shared by officers shows the suspect inside a Starbucks before the shooting and escaping on a bicycle.
Eagle-eyed social media users have pointed out that the gunman was carrying a luxury backpack that sells for $279 and is well known among photographers.
One person said: “The killer was wearing a peak design backpack, I wonder what camera he shoots with.”
Another posted: “Shooter is wearing a very expensive backpack meant to hold camera gear that opens on each side, made by Peak Design…interesting.”
Another added: ‘Peak Design backpack. You probably like cameras… photography and/or traveling as a hobbyist. Low volume product very easy to identify.’
‘It looks like the backpack he’s carrying is a Peak Design photographers backpack. That backpack costs over $300 and is very specific for carrying photography equipment,” said another.
“Either he likes photography or he tries to look like a photographer,” they added.
The gunman is still at large and authorities have launched a full-scale search to find the attacker.
Witnesses said the gunman was seen waiting some time outside the hotel before the shooting, and knew which door Thompson was going to exit through before opening fire.
Newly appointed Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the shooter appeared to be “lying in wait for several minutes” before approaching Thompson.
The unknown killer shot and killed Thompson, seen here, outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan early Wednesday morning.
After users pointed out that the shooter was wearing the expensive backpack, some speculated that the killer could also be a photographer.
Sources said cnn that the man bought two power bars and a bottle of water from the coffee shop chain.
Authorities found a phone and a bottle of water near the location that they believe is the one he bought at Starbucks and could offer them DNA.
The phone could also provide fingerprints and if technicians can unlock it, it could give them an idea of your identity.
Officers also searched Thompson’s hotel room, are interviewing his UnitedHealthcare colleagues and reviewing his social media.
They have yet to establish a motive for the murder, but sources told ABC 7 they are investigating a possible grudge against the insurance company.
Tisch added: “Many people walked past the suspect, but he seemed to be waiting for his target,” and said it did not “appear to be a random act of violence.”
“Watching the video, it appears that he was proficient in the use of firearms, as he was able to fix the malfunctions fairly quickly,” said NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.
Bullets lie on the sidewalk at the scene outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan where Thompson was shot.
United is the largest health insurer by market share in the United States. They have been protested by activists for allegedly systematically denying patients care.
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 being subjected to a cyberattack that cost it $872 million.
Thompson’s wife, Paulette ‘Pauley’ Thompson, 51, has said her husband had been receiving “some threats” before his trip to New York.
Thompson was also being investigated by the Justice Department for antitrust violations and accused of insider trading.
The department launched an investigation to determine whether the private company was unfairly restricting its competitors and running a monopoly.
He is survived by his wife and two children, who live in the family’s $1.5 million home in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
“We are devastated to learn of the senseless murder of our beloved Brian,” she told ABC 7 following her husband’s untimely death.