UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson shot dead in Midtown Manhattan, masked gunman at large

What we know:

Brian Thompson, the CEO of major insurance group UnitedHealthcare, was shot to death at point blank range in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning before he was set to attend an investor conference, according to police.

The masked gunman, who remains on the loose, appeared to be lying in wait and shot Thompson several times from behind, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference.

The shooting, which was reported around 6:40 a.m., appeared to be a "brazen, targeted attack" that was "premeditated," Tisch stressed. But the motive remains unknown, police said.

ABC NEWS

So all we really have is that a masked gunman seemed to have been waiting for him and killed him with no sign of robbery.

It appears it was premeditated, and while I agree it’s hard to say for sure without having the suspect in custody.

Just my opinion (pure speculation)-

My guess is it was pre meditated, and I’m going to do something I don’t usually do and guess the motive with no facts.

I’m guessing it’s someone with their insurance, or family member.

This is probably one of the worst major insurers in the country. They own hospitals and clinics too, and price you out of going to private practice or care outside their company.

It would be one thing if the insurance and care was cheaper since they own the insurance and the places providing care. Wrong. It’s no value added, and my guess is the only savings are that by employers. I can’t for the life of me see why people chose this route.

All it takes is a person getting denied claims, or their family member and you can have someone with nothing to lose.

Well maybe like you said it was some family member that was fed up with the insurance crap.

But what its very interesting is that this man was able to kill the CEO in plain day light, masked and nobody seem to see him?

Only in NY you can get away with this.

a reply to: marg6043

There is an arctic blast in the NE, so maybe no one thought anything of the mask.

I just think people don’t pay attention to other people in big cities. There’s a level of anonymity when you’re in masses. A lot different than being in a small town or small city.

I'm surprised this type of thing doesn't happen more often.
Insurance companies..
Doctors..
Judges..
Lawyers..

All of them have destroyed people's lives and there's nothing more dangerous than someone with nothing to lose.

Insurance company won't cover medical bills..
Judge doesn't let man see his kids..

Bang

So are we.... supposed to feel bad for this guy and assist in trying to track down the suspect?

Because I can tell you right now, I'm not doing either one of those things.

a reply to: marg6043

We're all learning from the ongoing subway self defense case that attempting to get involved in any way, will only serve to land you in prison as well.

A dead ceo just means nothing of value was lost here. Would not be surprised to see this type of thing happen more often now. Someone decided to become the hero we need today.

a reply to: Bluntone22

It did at one point, but laws took care of those that wannabe killers.

Now that laws have been lax in blue states, we may see more of this in coming months as we know blue states are short on police and full of illegals and crime.

a reply to: marg6043

I can see that argument with things like theft and drugs.

But I don’t think the law is on the minds of people who premeditated murder. Murder has always been illegal, and always been a problem.

Based off your speculation.....reminds me of that documentary SICKO

A documentary comparing the highly profitable American health care industry to other nations, and HMO horror stories including shotgun deaths

a reply to: tarantulabite1

It’s nuanced. I think having a good blue cross blue shield plan is probably one of the cheapest healthcare plans in the world (factoring in other countries pay more in taxes, and here you have access to specialists and cutting edge medicine).

But United Healthcare is double dipping with absolutely no value added for the patient.

The suspect made his getaway by running and an Ebike....sounds like a professional! Or a gang initiation....

a reply to: marg6043

Only in NY you can get away with this.

Unless you are Trump...

Well, if the perpetrator of this crime had a family member die, or go bankrupt under united healthcare, they would want me on their jury.

Prosecutors, not so much.

Not saying it is ok but many people will be able to sympathize with them.

a reply to: chiefsmom

Out of all of the health insurance providers I have had, United had to be the worst. Did not cover any necessary medical procedures, medications, visits, or anything.

Glad I was able to get off of it and move to a better provider when I did.

With Trump planning to expose government corruption and collusion with Big Business I have to wonder how much danger this guy might have posed as a whistle blower.

I would think anyone in a position to aid in de-weaponizing gov. branches is being closely monitored for signs of 'working with the enemy' and be silenced BAMN.

RIP Michael Hastings.

The time is suspect. A meeting that early in the morning? Something seems off. Walking down the street? Who was he meeting?

a reply to: nugget1

I doubt a highly paid CEO of any shady company is a potential whistleblower.

originally posted by: hangedman13
The time is suspect. A meeting that early in the morning? Something seems off. Walking down the street? Who was he meeting?

He was there for a prearranged investors conference.

Those are often public knowledge.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

His wife has stated that he had been receiving death threats.