Suspect Held in United HealthCare CEO Murder
- Details
- Category: Crime
- Published on Monday, 09 December 2024 11:32
- Written by Janet Walker
Five days after the brazen early morning execution style murder of United HealthCare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, outside the New York Hilton Hotel, NYPD have detained a man, and recovered what authorities believe is the murder weapon.
A civilian tipster in Altoona, PA spotted the man and contacted police. The man produced similar identification to those used by the suspect and according to The New York Times, a "handwritten manifesto found on the person of the man detained in Altoona criticized health care companies for putting profits above care, according to a senior law enforcement official."
Brooklyn Subway Terror: 28 Injured and Shot, Undetonated Devices Found
The NYPD's manhunt for the lone shooter, that stopped short of a city-wide dragnet, managed to quickly piece together, through subway and on-street surveillance, the shooter's approach to the Hilton, at Sixth Avenue and 54th Street at 6:45 a.m., and trace his steps after the shooting.
The video surveillance released of the murder shows the man, walking from between two parked vehicles, pointing the gun at Thompson as he was walking past him, unaware of the impending danger, and heading to the annual shareholders meeting at the Midtown Hilton. He steps forward and fires one shot.
According to the NYPD "The shooter then walks toward the victim and continues to shoot," NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. "It appears that the gun malfunctions, as he clears the jam and begins to fire again." Written on the shell casings were the words "deny," "defend" and "depose," ABCnews.com reported.
Robert Durst, NY Real Estate Heir, Found Guilty of Murder
Those words are indicative of common tactics used in the healthcare industry to delay claims and maximize profits. Early speculation pointed to a disgruntled ex-client, ex-employee or conspiracy theorist; individuals close to the investigation have said.
The, yet to be identified man, who appears to be relatively young in his early 20's, arrived in Manhattan on a bus that originated in Atlanta. The shooter stayed in Manhattan for ten days before the murder, using a fake New Jersey ID to book a hostel on the Upper West Side. The NYPD were able to release the only full-face image, after a worker at the hostel where he stayed asked him to remove his mask so she could see his handsome face. The Atlanta PD joined the investigation sending a team to Manhattan.
Ghislaine Maxwell, Longtime Companion of Jeffrey Epstein, Found Guilty
The NYPD have released images from multiple surveillance videos capturing the shooter in various locations around the city. His knowledge of Manhattan in the immediate aftermath of the shooting appeared to suggest the shooter may have been a resident of the city. However, it is possible he meticulously planned and rehearsed his getaway during his week stay.
Police believed he left the city boarding a bus from the upper Manhattan Port Authority George Washington Bridge station at 178th street. He was detained in Altoona, Pennsylvania, according to media sources.
Cold Case Murder Solved after 50 Years
This is a developing story.
