Police launch safety digital camera photographs of gunman as manhunt continues
Listed here are the photographs that the police have launched of the gunman:
Key occasions
Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips has shared a press release on the capturing.
“I’m horrified by the assassination of my constituent, Brian Thompson, this morning in NYC and have his household in my prayers,” Phillips posted to X.
The suspect was final noticed in Central Park, authorities say
Police stated on Wednesday that the gunman was final seen in Central Park on middle drive early on Wednesday morning, after fleeing the scene by foot after which on an electrical Citi Bike.
As of Wednesday afternoon, a helicopter was reported flying overhead in Central Park, in accordance with the New York Times.
A former UnitedHealth Group government who labored with Thompson for over a decade has described him as “humble” and a “household man.”
Talking with the Minnesota Star Tribune, John Penshorn, a former UnitedHealth Group government who labored with Thompson for greater than a decade earlier than retiring in 2019, stated that Thompson was humble, a servant-leader and household man.”
The Minnesota Star Tribune is reporting that the principal of Wayzata Excessive Faculty, the place one among Thompson’s sons is presently a scholar and the opposite has not too long ago graduated, despatched a be aware to employees this morning expressing deep sympathy for the household.
“Wayzata Excessive Faculty has taken speedy steps to assist our college students and employees, as they course of this devastating occasion,” Principal Scott Gengler wrote in a memo shared with the Star Tribune.
“Our scholar assist groups can be found and are providing a protected and supportive house for college students and employees to grieve and discover consolation” it added. “Moreover, our devoted staff of social employees is accessible to offer customized assist and steering for individuals who want it.”
A spokesperson for Lyft, which runs CitiBike, stated that the corporate was prepared to assist authorities with the investigation.
The spokesperson, Eric Smith instructed the Washington Post that the corporate stood “prepared to help regulation enforcement with this investigation.”
Smith added that the corporate had but not been contacted by New York police concerning the investigation as of Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities have stated the gunman fled the scene of the capturing on a electrical CitiBike bicycle.
Police launch safety digital camera photographs of gunman as manhunt continues
Listed here are the photographs that the police have launched of the gunman:
New York governor Kathy Hochul says ‘hearts are with the household’ after ‘horrific’ capturing
New York governor Kathy Hochul stated in a press release that she has been briefed on the “horrific and focused capturing”.
In accordance with the Washington Post, Hochul stated that she has directed state police to offer native authorities with “any needed help.”
“Our hearts are with the household and family members of Mr. Thompson and we’re dedicated to making sure the perpetrator is delivered to justice” Hochul added.
Rachel Leingang
Reporting from Minnesota:
UnitedHealthcare has been the topic of public and governmental scrutiny for its practices, notably its sample of denying protection for claims.
At a protest outdoors the corporate’s headquarters in Minnesota in July 2024, 11 individuals had been arrested and cited for blocking a roadway after gathering to protest United Healthcare’s protection points, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported. On the time, the corporate stated its staff’ security was its prime precedence.
Folks’s Motion Institute, which organized the July protest and an earlier one in opposition to the corporate, stated in July that people who find themselves on the corporate’s insurance coverage and medical professionals had “petitioned, protested and spoken on to the chief medical officer of UnitedHealth Group about our considerations, however their management has refused to acknowledge that prior authorizations and declare denials are a widespread drawback.”
Jenn Coffey, who was a Republican state lawmaker in New Hampshire, has participated in protests in opposition to the corporate and spoken publicly about declare and protection denials for medical therapy.
“I stood in United healthcare’s Headquarters in Minnesota and instructed them I didn’t need to die,” she wrote on her website. “I’m left feeling that’s the very factor they’re hoping for.”
Brian Thompson’s sister-in-law Elena Reveiz stated this morning that she was nonetheless processing the information of Thompson’s loss of life.
“He was a superb particular person, and I’m so unhappy,” Reveiz instructed the New York Times, including that Thompson was a superb father to his two kids. Reveiz stated she was on her approach to be with their household.
Brian Thompson’s spouse says he acquired threats
Whereas the motive nonetheless stays unclear, Thompson’s spouse, Paulette Thompson, has stated that he had been receiving threats.
“There had been some threats,” she stated in a cellphone name with NBC News. “Mainly, I don’t know, an absence of protection? I don’t know particulars. I simply know that he stated there have been some people who had been threatening him.”
She additionally instructed the outlet that the police had knowledgeable her that it appeared the capturing was “a deliberate assault.”
“I can’t actually give a considerate response proper now. I simply discovered this out and I’m attempting to console my kids,” she added.
Amy Klobuchar, the US senator from Minnesota, described the capturing as a “horrifying and stunning act of violence”.
In a statement she added: “My ideas are with Brian Thompson’s household and family members and all these working at UnitedHealthcare in Minnesota.”
Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, called the shooting “horrifying information and a horrible loss for the enterprise and healthcare neighborhood in Minnesota.”
In a press release on Wednesday, he added that “Minnesota is sending our prayers to Brian’s household and the UnitedHealthcare staff.”
Who’s Brian Thompson?
Brian Thompson, 50, was named chief government officer for UnitedHealthcare in April 2021, in accordance with the company.
Previous to this position, he served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare authorities packages together with Medicare and retirement and neighborhood and state.
Earlier than main authorities packages, Thompson served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare medicare and retirement.
Thompson, who lives in Minnesota, joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004.
New York Mayor Eric Adams stated that the capturing didn’t look like a random assault and that police had been reviewing proof from the scene.
“This was not what seems to be a simply random act of violence” Adams stated, in accordance with the Associated Press. “It appears to be clearly focused by a person and we’ll apprehend that particular person.”