(DailyAnswer.org) – New York City was rocked by a horrifying act of violence early Wednesday morning, as UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in a chilling attack near Midtown Manhattan’s Hilton Hotel. The brutal incident, captured on surveillance video, shows Thompson, 50, walking along a city sidewalk when a masked man approached from behind.
The attacker, dressed in a black hoodie and carrying a backpack, raised a handgun and fired multiple times at close range. At one point, the gun appeared to jam, forcing the suspect to hit it to continue his assault. Thompson attempted to flee, but the assailant followed closely, reportedly firing another round as the victim struggled to move. A terrified pedestrian fled the scene, narrowly avoiding the chaos.
According to the NYPD, the gunman escaped by weaving between parked cars and riding away on a bike. Initial reports suggested it was a Citibike, which could have been tracked, but authorities later confirmed it was not. Police released images of the suspect captured earlier that morning at a nearby Starbucks. Witnesses claim the gunman waited for hours before ambushing Thompson.
One witness, who had been parking his car nearby, described hearing three gunshots. “I looked up, and there was a man down,” he said. The shooter then calmly crossed the street and vanished into the night. The witness described the suspect as a white male dressed entirely in black.
In response to the attack, New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her condolences and pledged state support for the investigation. “This was a targeted and horrific act,” she said, adding that law enforcement would do everything necessary to bring the perpetrator to justice.
Thompson’s widow, Paulette, spoke of her family’s heartbreak. “Brian was an incredibly loving husband and father. Our lives will never be the same,” she said, requesting privacy during this difficult time.
The NYPD has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest. Anyone with details is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. As of now, the attacker remains at large, leaving the city shaken and desperate for answers.
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