LOS ANGELES.–Shocked by the brazen morning shooting of 50-year-old UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thomson, the New York Police Department [NYPD] let the killer flee the scene, running away, then hopping on a bike only to disappear in Central Park. With all of New York City’s security cameras since Sept. 11, you’d think the NYPD would have tracked the shooter more methodically, not knowing whether he’s in the city or long gone to the porous Canadian border. How much help the killer had to escape the NYPD dragnet is unknown but certainly he hasn’t been captured yet. Apparently the killer dropped his cell phone, a water bottle and possibly two candy wrappers close to the crime scene, giving detectives a way to eventually ascertain his DNA identity. Detectives already found bullet casings at the crime scene marked with “deny, “defend” and “depose,” a vague reference to UnitedHealthcare.
If you take the bullet casings at face value, it would hint at a possible motive for killing Thomson for somehow denying coverage to someone the killer knows that may have been maimed because of the insurer’s denials, but that’s pure speculation at this point. Detectives trace the killer’s movements to Hi New York City Hostel on the Upper West Side, trying to pinpoint where the killer stayed the night before the street shooting. Thomson was shot in the back close to the Midtown Hilton where his company was due to start an investors’ conference at 8: 00 AM. Thomson was shot numerous times in the back, where he succumbed to his injuries when taken by ambulance to the Mt. Sinai West medical center where he was dead-on-arrival. Calling the killing a premeditated, targeted killing, the NYPD stressed that that it was not a random act of street violence.
With all of New York City’s surveillance, it’s inconceivable that the killer could flee the scene and not yet be apprehended or killed by the NYPD. Three shell casing found at the scene give a small glimpse into a possible motive of UnitedHealthcare’s track record of denying, delaying and preventing subscribers’ claims. Calling the killing a “brazen targeted attack,” the NYPD has pieced together some photos showing an unmasked killer’s face, hoping to get it out to the public enough for someone to recognize the perpetrator. Thomson’s killer used a silencer on the murder weapons that apparently jammed during the shooting at least twice but was somehow fixed by the assassin. “From watching the video, it does appear he is proficient in the use of firearms, as he was able to clear the malfunction pretty quickly,” said NYPD chief Joseph Kinny, noting the killer’s firearm skills.
Shot at 54th Street and 6th Avenue, somehow the killer was able to runaway and hop on a bicycle where he entered Central Park and exited at 85th Street where he disappeared from any further surveillance. NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch said the attack was a premeditated targeted attack, meaning that Thomson was stalked by the gunman at his hotel before he left on foot around 6:40 right before he was gunned down at 6:45 AM on the street. NYPD detectives will have look inside UnitedHealthcare at employees recently terminated to determine whether any disgruntled former employee could be responsible for the attack. When you consider the police surveillance photo of the killer they have a pretty good description of a six-foot young man wearing ski mask and hoody, carrying a grey backpack. Interviewing guest at the Upper West Side youth hostel is a starting point for NYPD.
Whether admitted to or not, it looks like a paid targeted hit, with the killer probably not the primary suspect for the killing but a paid assassin. UnitedHealthcare was apparently being investigated by the Department of Justice for an insider trading scandal, a possible motive to silencing Thomson if he intended to testify against any of his colleagues. While called a “visionary” and beloved CEO by many of his health care colleagues from different companies, know one knows yet any of the inside ins-and-outs of what was going on. Doubtful that any disgruntled subscriber of UnitedHealth care would pay a hit man to go after the company’s CEO. Whether the DOJ investigation, or Thomson’s role in the investigation, played any role in the targeted killing isn’t known at this time. What’s known for sure is that Thomson was the victim of a targeted hit.
Judging by the relative ease with which the killer escaped the crime scene it would suggest he had an escape route and help planned in advance. With all New York City’s video surveillance, it’s doubtful his image wouldn’t have been picked up while he escaped from the city. NYPD and FBI officials don’t like to tip their hands of what they actually know too quickly before an apprehension can be made. At this point, they have a clear picture of the killer’s face that will no doubt go out on an All Points Bulletin, publicizing his picture all over New York and the country. Offering only $10,000 for Thomson’s reward shows the kind of weakened financial state in New York City with its Mayor Eric Adams under indictment for corruption. Working with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, there’s no doubt that Thomson’s killer will be tracked down.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
