The chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, one of the nation’s largest health insurers, was fatally shot in the chest in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning, the New York Times reports. Brian Thompson, 50, was shot just after 6:45 a.m. at 1335 Sixth Avenue, the address for the New York Hilton Midtown, according to a police report. He was taken to Mount Sinai West in critical condition. Police officers are still searching for the gunman, who fled east on foot along Sixth Avenue, the report said The police believe Thompson was targeted in the attack, which happened during the company’s annual investor conference in New York City. The gunman apparently knew which door Thompson was going to enter and shot him several times from mere feet away, then fled.
Thompson was promoted to chief executive of Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare in April 2021, heading one unit of the larger UnitedHealth Group. Neither company immediately responded to messages seeking comment. Thompson’s sister-in-law, Elena Reveiz, said she was still processing the news of his death. “He was a good person, and I am so sad,” Reveiz said when reached by phone. She said Thompson had two children, and she was on her way to be with his family.