'A premeditated, planned and targeted attack': Brian Thompson, CEO of US health insurance, shot dead in New York street

La police devant l’hôtel Hilton à Manhattan. EPA – JUSTIN LANE

Ce mercredi 4 décembre 2024, Brian Thompson, PDG d’une des plus grandes mutuelles des États-Unis, a été tué par balle à New York, en pleine rue.

The incident took place early this morning in Manhattan, New York (United States). Shortly before 7am, while he was in front of a hotel, Brian Thompson was shot in the street, according to the American police, relayed by the BBC. The CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the largest mutual insurance companies in the country, is dead.

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A manhunt

The fifty-year-old had worked for the private insurer for almost 20 years. Upon joining the company in 2004, he held several positions, including that of CEO.

According to initial reports, he was shot in the chest, but also in the leg. After the shots, Brian Thompson was taken to hospital. He died a few minutes later, according to the American press.

The New York police have given details of what happened. A man, wearing a hoodie and a ski mask, was apparently waiting for Brian Thompson outside the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan. It was at this precise moment that the individual shot him and then fled.

The suspect first left on foot, before later taking an electric bike. Authorities lost track of him around Central Park, where he was last seen. “Everything indicates that this was a premeditated, planned and targeted attack,”, said Jessica Tisch, New York Police Commissioner, quoted by the BBC.

For the time being, the killer is still being sought by law enforcement, with a $10,000 reward (about €9,500) being offered by the police.

Hundreds of threats

The motive for the murder has not yet been clearly established, but According to Paulette Thompson, the victim’s wife, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare has already been the target of threats.

“There have been threats. Basically, I don’t know, a lack of [medical] coverage? I don’t know the details. I just know that he said that some people were threatening him. I can’t really give a thoughtful answer right now. I just found out about it and I’m trying to comfort my children”, she testified to the American press.