 |
| Pictures of the suspect |
Detectives from the NYPD arrived in Atlanta on Saturday following numerous tips related to the still-unidentified suspect wanted in the Wednesday shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York, sources told ABC News.
The Atlanta Police Department confirmed the arrival of the New York investigators but declined to provide additional details.
According to sources, the suspect reportedly traveled to New York on a Greyhound bus departing from Atlanta on November 24. However, it remains unclear when exactly he boarded. Witnesses last saw him on the bus in Washington, D.C.
The masked assailant shot Thompson at close range at 6:44 a.m. on December 4 outside the New York Hilton Midtown, where Thompson's company was hosting an investors’ conference. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the attack as “brazen” and “targeted.”
Authorities revealed that the suspect took a taxi to the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 178th Street after the shooting and then boarded a bus out of New York City. While progress is being made in identifying the shooter, his identity remains unknown. Late Saturday, the NYPD released images showing the suspect in what appears to be the backseat of a cab.
The suspect is believed to have boarded a bus that made six or seven stops after leaving the city. Investigators are actively pursuing leads across multiple states with assistance from the FBI, according to law enforcement sources.
The suspect reportedly spent 10 days in New York before the shooting, and investigators are thoroughly examining the city for further evidence. On Friday night, officers recovered a backpack believed to belong to the suspect, containing only a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and Monopoly money.
On Saturday, officers searched a pond near Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, with divers assisting in the hunt for evidence. It is unclear whether anything was recovered from the water.
Investigators have also reportedly secured DNA samples from evidence near the crime scene, which are being processed by the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The results could take several days. Additionally, police recovered a smudged fingerprint from a water bottle purchased by the suspect at a Starbucks, though its usefulness remains uncertain.
The distinctive firearm used in the attack has yet to be found. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny described how the shooter’s weapon appeared to malfunction during the incident, prompting the assailant to clear the jam and continue firing.
Shell casings found at the scene had the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” inscribed on them. These words mirror the title of the book Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It, published in 2010. Authorities are exploring whether resentment toward the insurance industry could be a potential motive.
In response to Thompson’s death, Centene Corporation, a major health insurer, announced that its upcoming in-person investor day in New York would instead be held virtually.
“All of us at Centene are deeply saddened by Brian Thompson’s death and want to express our support for all of those affected,” said Centene CEO Sarah M. London. “He was a person with a deep sense of empathy and a clear passion for improving access to care. Our hearts are with his family and colleagues during this difficult time.”
No comments:
Post a Comment