In a shocking turn of events, Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth, was assassinated this morning in a brazen attack just steps away from his hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The incident occurred around 6:46 a.m. on December 4, 2024, as Thompson walked to an annual conference where he was set to announce record-breaking revenue figures. Witnesses reported seeing a hooded figure approach Thompson before firing multiple shots, leaving him critically injured on the sidewalk.
Despite immediate efforts by bystanders and police to save him, Thompson was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m., sending shockwaves through the healthcare industry and beyond. The unidentified gunman, described as a slender male approximately 6 feet tall, fled the scene on an electric bicycle, evading capture as a massive manhunt was initiated.
Thompson, 50, had been under scrutiny due to a federal antitrust investigation into UnitedHealth’s business practices, which had raised concerns of insider trading. His wife had previously revealed that he had received death threats, leading to increased security measures. This chilling backdrop adds layers to a murder that many are interpreting as a statement against corporate greed in the healthcare sector.
As investigators comb through evidence, including bullet casings inscribed with the words “deny, defend, depose,” speculation mounts about the possible motivations behind the assassination. The phrase, linked to unethical insurance tactics, has sparked debate online, with some expressing sympathy for the killer, viewing him as a vigilante seeking justice for those wronged by the insurance industry.
The police have released images of the suspect, but public interest has only intensified, with some even romanticizing the assassin. As the hunt for the murderer continues, the FBI has joined the investigation, offering a substantial reward for information leading to his capture. The ramifications of this high-profile assassination are just beginning to unfold, leaving a nation grappling with the implications of a crime that has ignited fierce discussions on corporate accountability and public health.