NYPD Unveils Two New Images of Individual Sought for Inquiry in UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has shared new images of a man who is being sought for questioning regarding the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week, with no suspect identified as of yet.

Two recent photos of the individual of interest show him donning a hooded sweatshirt and a blue medical-style mask frequently seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. One image is taken from what seems to be inside a taxi, while the other was taken outside the vehicle, as evidenced by the photographs.

Additionally, the department noted that a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction remains available. The FBI also announced on Saturday that it would be offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the suspect in Thompson’s shooting death, which NYPD officials described last week as “brazen” and “targeted.”

Aside from the two photos released on Sunday, the NYPD has not provided additional updates regarding the investigation since Friday. On that day, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch informed CNN that officials suspect the individual fled New York City. Chief of detectives Joseph Kenny indicated that evidence suggests the suspect traveled by taxi to a Port Authority bus station in Manhattan and likely took a bus away from the city.

The NYPD has disclosed several other images of the suspect, including one where he is not wearing a mask, as well as video footage of the shooting itself. This incident occurred on December 4 in front of a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan just before a UnitedHealthcare conference. Thompson was the CEO of the company, which is a subsidiary of United Health Group Inc.

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Detectives are meticulously reviewing video footage and social media, evaluating tips from the public, and interviewing individuals who may possess insights, including Thompson’s family, coworkers, and the shooter’s randomly assigned roommates at the Manhattan hostel where he stayed, Kenny reported last week.

“This isn’t ‘Blue Bloods.’ We’re not going to solve this in 60 minutes,” Kenny remarked to reporters on December 6, referring to a famed police drama set in New York City. “We’re carefully examining every piece of evidence that we can find.”

On the evening of December 6, investigators discovered a backpack in Central Park that had been worn by the shooter, according to police. They have not disclosed the contents, if any, but mentioned that it would undergo testing and analysis.

Another possible lead, a fingerprint found on an item he bought at a Starbucks just minutes prior to the shooting, has so far been ineffective in identifying him, Kenny noted.

Kenny also pointed out that the attacker’s awareness of UnitedHealthcare’s conference at the hotel and the specific route Thompson might take to reach it implies he could potentially be a disgruntled employee or former client.

From video analysis, police learned that the shooter was present in the city for 10 days prior to the incident, Kenny stated. He arrived at Manhattan’s main bus terminal on a Greyhound bus coming from Atlanta, though it is still unclear if he boarded there or at one of the multiple stops along the way.

Following that, he took a cab to the vicinity of the Hilton and remained there for about half an hour, according to the chief of detectives.

After the shooting, the suspect is believed to have fled on foot before using a bike to reach Central Park. He then walked several blocks before entering a taxi to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station, which is operated by Port Authority and provides bus services to New Jersey along with Greyhound routes to other major cities including Washington, Philadelphia, and Boston, Kenny added.

Investigators remain uncertain about what occurred next.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.