UnitedHealth shooting suspect reportedly left New York

Unlock Editor's Digest for free

Roula Khalaf, editor-in-chief of the FT, selects her favorite stories in this weekly newsletter.

A man suspected of killing a top UnitedHealth executive in Midtown Manhattan earlier this week has reportedly left town, as investigators race to find him in their third day.

The manhunt comes after Brian Thompson, who led UnitedHealth's vast insurance unit, was dejected outside a hotel in one of Manhattan's busiest neighborhoods by a masked culprit who fled on an electric bike.

The executive's dawn killing on his way to an investor event sparked a national investigation and pushed companies to step up security measures for high-ranking executives.

Investigators believe the suspect, who has not yet been named, left New York, Jessica Tisch, commissioner of the New York Police Department, told CNN.

Joseph Kenny, the chief of detectives, also told CNN that the suspect was last spotted at an interstate bus station in downtown Manhattan and may have boarded a bus to leave the city.

In the meantime, UnitedHealth told staff that it is working with local law enforcement to increase security at its Minnesota headquarters, as well as other locations. Other companies on both sides of the Atlantic have also moved in recent days to strengthen their security measures.

UnitedHealth, along with other major healthcare companies Humana and CVS Health, have removed photos of their management and board members from their websites.

NYPD detectives had recovered DNA from a water bottle left at the scene of the crime, which took place in a Manhattan neighborhood frequented by businessmen and tourists, according to a person with knowledge direct from the investigation.

The suspect reportedly traveled from Atlanta to New York by Greyhound bus on November 24, before checking into a hostel on Manhattan's Upper West Side, where police were present on Thursday.

The Atlanta Police Department said Friday that it had been contacted by the New York Police Department “and will now provide necessary assistance.” The NYPD remained the lead agency in the investigation, APD added.

Thompson, who had been chief executive of UnitedHealth's insurance unit since 2021 and had worked for the company for two decades, was shot three times from behind around 6:45 a.m. Wednesday. It emerged on Thursday that detectives found markings on the bullet casings reading “deny”, “defend” and “deposit” – a possible nod to a 2010 book about claims rejection by insurers.

UnitedHealth is the fourth largest U.S. company by revenue, and its healthcare and insurance divisions serve tens of millions of Americans.

UnitedHealth said in a statement Thursday: “Our priorities are, first and foremost, supporting Brian’s family; ensure the safety of our employees; and work with law enforcement to bring the perpetrator to justice.