A Chronology of the Tragic Shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the Pursuit of His Assailant

NEW YORK—The hunt for the individual responsible for the ambush of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Wednesday outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan has extended beyond the borders of New York City. While efforts continue to identify the suspect, the FBI has announced a reward of $50,000 for information that leads to his arrest and conviction, in addition to a $10,000 reward already offered by the NYPD.

According to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, the gunman operated under a fake identity and paid in cash throughout his 10-day stay in the city. He managed to keep his face concealed except during the check-in process at a hostel. The suspect was captured on multiple surveillance cameras scattered across Manhattan, which has assisted police in piecing together a timeline of his actions.

Here’s what we know so far about what the NYPD has classified as a planned attack.

Nov. 24

10:11 p.m.—The alleged shooter arrives in New York City via a Greyhound bus at the Port Authority terminal. The bus traveled from Atlanta, making six or seven stops along the way. Police have not yet identified the point of origin for the suspect’s journey.

After arriving, he takes a taxi to the vicinity of the New York Hilton Midtown, where he remains for roughly half an hour.

Approximately 11 p.m. — The man takes a taxi to the HI New York City Hostel at 891 Amsterdam Ave., where he remains until the morning of the shooting. He presents an ID which authorities suspect to be counterfeit. His two roommates in a shared room with bunk beds never saw his face, as he reportedly kept his mask on.

During a brief interaction with an employee in the hostel lobby, he lowered his facemask momentarily to smile—a moment that has since been captured on widely shared surveillance footage.

Nov. 29

The man checks out of the hostel, which automatically processes check-outs for guests who do not appear at the desk by a specified time. Police believe he did not stay elsewhere and returned to the hostel the following day.

Dec. 4

Around 5:30 a.m.—The alleged shooter vacates the hostel well before sunrise.

5:41 a.m.—He is seen on video footage at 54th Street and Sixth Avenue, wandering in the vicinity of the Hilton hotel where UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, is hosting its annual investor conference.

Police speculate that he may have ridden a bicycle to the Hilton due to the quick time it took him to arrive. “Could he have stolen the bike? These are aspects we are actively investigating,” Kenny stated.

At some point, he visited a nearby Starbucks, purchased a bottle of water, and at least one energy bar before heading back to the hotel.

6:44 a.m.—He shoots Thompson as the executive approaches on foot, having walked from a hotel across the street. The gunman then flees the scene.

6:48 a.m.—The man enters Central Park by bicycle at the 60th Street and Center Drive entrance, where police believe he disposed of a gray backpack away from surveillance cameras.

6:56 a.m.—He exits the park at West 77th Street and Central Park West, still riding the bicycle.

6:58 a.m.—He passes another surveillance camera at 85th Street and Columbus Avenue, still on the bike.

7 a.m.—He is recorded at 86th Street, no longer in possession of the bicycle.

7:04 a.m.—He boards a taxi heading northbound at 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.

7:30 a.m.—He is spotted near the George Washington Bridge, close to the bus terminal which offers commuter services to New Jersey and Greyhound routes to Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington.

Following the shooting, investigators uncover words like “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” inscribed on ammunition found at the scene, mirroring phrases utilized by critics within the insurance sector.

Dec. 6

Kenny, along with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, announces that investigators suspect the gunman departed New York City on a bus. They confirm he entered the George Washington Bridge Bus Station but have yet to locate any footage of him leaving or boarding a bus.

“It’s possible he could be a disgruntled employee or a dissatisfied client,” Kenny suggests regarding potential motives in a briefing.

Authorities also recover what they believe to be the suspect’s backpack, though its contents have not been disclosed.

Dec. 7

Law enforcement continues searching Central Park; scuba divers are seen combing through a pond. The NYPD releases new photos showing the suspected shooter in a taxi, where he is wearing a blue surgical-style mask.

Despite recovering a fingerprint from the Starbucks receipt and sending evidence for DNA testing, the police have not publicly identified the suspect yet.

Dec. 8

Scuba divers return to Central Park’s pond. Investigators opt not to comment on the ongoing inquiry.

By Michael R. Sisak and Cedar Attanasio