Update: 12:50 p.m. —

Law enforcement authorities in New York held a late morning press conference to brief media and the public on what they know so far about the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan early Wednesday morning.

The briefing began with New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tish, who stated:

"In Midtown Manhattan early this morning, 50-year-old Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was shot and killed in what appears, at this early stage of our investigation, to be a brazen, targeted attack. This does not appear to be a random act of violence. 

"The victim was in New York City to speak at an investor conference. It appears the suspect was lying in wait for several minutes. And as the victim was walking to the conference hotel, the suspect approached from behind and fired several rounds, striking the victim at least once in the back and at least once in the right calf. 

"Many people passed the suspect but he appeared to wait for his intended target. The suspect fled, first on foot, then on an e-bike, and was last seen in Central Park on Center Drive early this morning. 

"The victim was removed to Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced. We've been in touch with his family, his friends, and his colleagues, and they are very much in our thoughts and prayers at this hour. The full investigative efforts of the New York City Police Department are well underway, and we will not rest until we identify and apprehend the shooter in this case." 

A reward of $10,000 has been offered for information leading to identifying the shooter. Tish emphasized that the evidence at this point indicates this was a premeditated attack. She also noted that the treelighting ceremony planned for Wednesday evening at Rockefeller Center will proceed as planned.

Tish turned the briefing over to Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny. Some added details from Kenny: 

• 6:46 a.m. — patrol officers responded to the 911 call regarding a person shot in front of the Hilton Hotel on the Avenue of the Americas.
• 6:48 a.m. — officers arrived on scene and find Thompson on the sidewalk in front of the hotel with gunshot wounds to his back and leg. 
• Thompson was taken to Roosevelt Hospital and pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m.
• Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, resides in Minnesota.
• The shooter arrived at the location on foot about five minutes prior to Thompson.
• The shooter appears to be a light-skinned male, wearing a light brown or green colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers, and a distinctive grey backpack.
• The shooter ignored numerous other pedestrians, approached the victim, and fired multiple shots at him. 
• The shooter fled on foot, northbound, and subsequently acquired an e-bike, which he then rode toward and into Central Park. 

This is a developing story. RedState will provide additional updates as they become available.

Original story:

There is startling news out of Manhattan Wednesday morning as UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was reportedly shot and killed outside his Midtown Manhattan Hotel. There isn't a great deal of information available just yet, but there is already some indication this was a targeted attack. 

JUST IN 🚨

UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot outside the Manhattan Hilton Hotel in New York City.

Suspect is on the run. pic.twitter.com/oTp58cqBcP

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) December 4, 2024

Here's what we know thus far:

The CEO of UnitedHealth was fatally shot in the chest Wednesday morning outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown in what police say was a targeted attack.

Brian Thompson, 50, was at the hotel around 6:46 a.m., arriving early for a conference, when a masked man allegedly waiting for him fired at the CEO repeatedly and fled eastbound off 6th Avenue, police sources told The Post. 

Thompson, in critical condition, was rushed to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, police said.

The stunning news comes amid increased concerns regarding crime in New York. 

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The suspect, described as a white male with a black facemask and carrying a grey backpack, has not yet been apprehended. 

Thompson was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021. 

This is a developing story. RedState will provide additional information as it becomes available.