Questions Arise Following Fatal Shooting of UnitedHealthcare Executive Brian Thompson in New York City | US News

The speed at which the evidence of a murder can be erased is astonishing, particularly in the case of such a blatant assassination.

Only twelve hours after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot in midtown Manhattan, cleaning crews were busy washing away remnants of the crime scene outside the Hilton hotel.

Law enforcement cleared their barriers and dismantled flimsy caution tape. West 54th Street in Midtown Manhattan resumed its usual flurry of activity.

Yet, the perpetrator of this brazen act remains at large.

Authorities have unveiled images captured by surveillance cameras showing a masked individual in a dark anorak, hood covering his face, and carrying a grey backpack.

In one image, he can be seen riding the e-bike he used to flee north into Central Park, where the trail disappeared.

Another image shows him aiming his weapon, holding it with what appears to be a silencer. This captures the moment he shot Thompson in the back at close range.

Police have also released video footage from the CCTV system depicting this harrowing scene.

The gunman fires his weapon, approaches Mr. Thompson, who is crumpled against a wall, and hits him multiple times, including at least once in the right calf, as detailed by the New York police department. He then nonchalantly exits, slipping through parked cars and into a wide alleyway across the street.

The police have declared this a bold and premeditated attack, a claim supported by the CCTV footage available.

Thompson was en route to an investor conference scheduled to begin at 9 AM at the Hilton in Midtown. A witness, presumably a woman, was seen at the hotel entrance, who took cover as chaos erupted. The assassin made no effort to harm her.

With three surveillance cameras on the hotel awning and tens of thousands more across New York City, the gunman displayed a flagrant disregard for being captured.

Seemingly, he had foreknowledge of Mr. Thompson’s arrival, even though he was early for the event. The killer was poised and ready when the moment came.

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‘We’re not used to this’

Crime in New York feels like a sporadic upsurge amidst already chaotic scenes. Currently, there is a strong perception that crime rates are notably high.

“It’s insane, all these things are happening,” shares Rohan Royal, a resident just three blocks from where the incident occurred. “New York City is known for opportunity, not assassinations and violence. It’s a place where dreams are meant to flourish.”

He suggests martial arts training as a method for personal safety. However, martial arts offer little protection from a bullet aimed at your back, and this was no ordinary mugging.

“We’re not accustomed to this; it’s incredibly disheartening,” states Irina Prokovieva. “I frequent this area, and my health insurance is with UnitedHealthcare, so I wanted to see what was happening.”

She pauses, reflecting: “I received a notification recently about a hike in my health insurance beginning in January, nearly $700 a month. It struck me as outrageous since I’m a retiree, which is why my health insurance costs more than most.”

Questions linger about the motive

This event serves as a reminder that while Thompson may not have been a household name, the company he led certainly is.

UnitedHealthcare stands as the country’s largest health insurer, impacting millions of American lives in both positive and negative ways.

At this point, it remains unclear if the shooter was a contracted hitman or someone with a personal grudge.

We are still unaware of his motives or the motives of any individuals who may have hired him.

He appeared to embody the look of a professional, or at least someone well-acquainted with firearms, but countless Americans share that familiarity.

What we do know is that he remains elusive after this remarkable assassination, blending into the ranks of the millions who call NYC home.