UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson may have been killed with a rare weapon inspired by World War II.
The 50-year-old was shot dead on Wednesday as he headed to an investor conference at New York’s Hilton Midtown Manhattan hotel.
His attacker was a masked gunman who opened fire from behind, hitting Thompson in the back and leg.
Police have not yet recovered the murder weapon, but police sources told police New York Post The pistol is believed to be a Swiss-made Brugger & Thomet VP9.
The rare firearm is an update of the British World War II Welrod pistol and is typically used for shooting large animals such as horses.
The Welrod has a built-in suppressor, making it perfect for sneaking up on enemies and executing them.
The B&T VP9 has a similar built-in silencer designed to dampen the sound of a gunshot and prevent the executed animal or other animals nearby from panicking.
A halal cart owner on the street where the murder took place told DailyMail.com he had heard nothing, despite being open at the time of the murder.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson may have been killed with a Brugger & Thomet VP9, a firearm inspired by World War II
Guests at the nearby Hilton, some of whose rooms faced the same street, also described their shock at waking up to the news of the murder, having slept soundly the entire time.
The latest version of the VP9 features standard 9mm bullets, has a 3-inch barrel, and weighs just over two pounds. It retails for about $2,000.
“This updated, integrally suppressed pistol features a new grip and updated magazines, yet retains its stealthy appearance, whisper-quiet sound signature and unique rotating bolt operation,” the manufacturer said on its website.
Police were reportedly monitoring the sale of a firearm in Connecticut, which could fit the theory, but turned out to be a diversion, according to the Post.
Surveillance footage of the cold-blood murder showed the killer walking forward and shooting Thompson in the back before the gun appeared to jam.
He quickly resolved the problem and continued shooting as the CEO fell to the ground.
“It could be (the weapon used), but it’s not common and certainly not what I initially thought of,” former FBI agent Robert D’Amico told DailyMail.com.
Officers are still searching for the unknown assailant who shot Thompson, seen here, outside the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan Wednesday morning.
Police sources told ABC News that shell casings with the cryptic messages on them were found at the scene
‘But that being said, the fact that he had a ‘fault’, immediately recognized it and manually fed a new round could indicate that it was in fact a manual-only weapon like this.’
Investigators found shell casings at the scene with the words “deny,” “depose” and “defend.”
The words bear a similarity to Professor Jay M. Feinman’s 2010 book, Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claim and What You Can Do About.
As of Friday afternoon, the killer remains at large as a frantic manhunt continues across the country.