Unraveling the Mystery: How Did the Gunman Escape After Killing CEO Brian Thompson?
The search for the gunman who shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson continues, with authorities piecing together his movements before and after the attack.
Brian Thompson, Manhattan, New York, Gunman, Shooting, Investigation
Manhattan: The hunt is still on for the gunman who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. It’s been three days, and they still haven’t caught him.
Authorities are piecing together the suspect’s movements from early Wednesday morning. They’re trying to figure out where he went after the shooting.
Witnesses saw a white male in black clothing with a gray backpack near the Frederick Douglass Houses around 5 a.m. He was spotted leaving the 57th Street F train stop and later caught on a Starbucks camera just before the shooting.
At about 6:19 a.m., he was seen walking near the New York Hilton Midtown, where Thompson was scheduled to speak. Just minutes later, he opened fire, hitting Thompson at close range.
After the attack, the gunman fled on an electric bike, heading towards Central Park. He was last seen cycling out of the park shortly before 7 a.m.
Police later found footage of him at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, but they’re unsure if he left the city on a bus. Thompson was rushed to the hospital but sadly didn’t make it.
Interestingly, ten days before the shooting, the suspect arrived in New York from Atlanta on a Greyhound bus. He checked into a hostel using a fake ID and even had a flirty moment with a staff member.
As of now, no arrests have been made, but the NYPD is offering a $10,000 reward for information, while the FBI has upped the ante to $50,000.
Authorities believe this was a targeted attack, not random violence. Thompson’s wife mentioned he had received threats before the incident.
Detectives think the gunman might have military or law enforcement experience based on his calm demeanor during the shooting. They found some cryptic messages at the scene, which could be clues.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said they’re gathering evidence and tightening the net around the suspect. He emphasized that they don’t want to reveal the suspect’s name just yet to avoid tipping him off.