UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in Manhattan—and police say it was a targeted attack

December 4, 2024 ndowd

Brian Thompson, CEO of insurance group UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot Wednesday morning in Manhattan, local news sources reported.

Thompson, 50, was shot outside of the New York Hilton Midtown, where the company is hosting its investors day. Police sources told the New York Post Thompson arrived early to the hotel around 6:40 a.m., where a masked man was allegedly preparing to fire at him in a targeted attack. Police say they have not confirmed Thompson’s identity.

Thompson was rushed to the hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound in his chest, and was pronounced dead there, police told Fortune. The gunman fled east on Sixth Avenue, and the police are still searching for him.

The CEO of UnitedHealthcare since 2021, Thompson was part of parent company UnitedHealth Group since 2004 and previously served as CFO for UnitedHealthcare’s Employer and Individual, Community and State, and Medicare and Retirement businesses. UnitedHealth Group sits No. 4 on the 2024 Fortune 500 list and No. 8 on the Fortune Global 500. It was the largest health care company by revenue in 2023.

UnitedHealthcare did not immediately respond to Fortune’s request for comment.

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