As authorities enter their second day in the manhunt of the gunman who brutally shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson yesterday morning in midtown Manhattan, investigators have learned about a series of events leading up to Thompson’s murder that could help uncover a motive.
Here’s the latest.
According to a New York Post report, Thompson was one of multiple executives at his company who were being investigated by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for insider trading.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was facing DOJ probe for insider trading when he was killed in targeted NYC shooting https://t.co/rOz3CPK88B pic.twitter.com/turuUiuPtM
— New York Post (@nypost) December 4, 2024
According to Crain’s New York Business, on February 16 of this year, Thompson sold shares worth $15.1 million just two weeks before the public found out about a federal antitrust probe.
The DOJ was reportedly investigating whether UnitedHealth Group violated antitrust laws by making acquisitions that consolidated its market position.
Thompson’s sale of his shares earlier this year was his first since taking over the company in 2021, according to the report.
Thompson, UnitedHealth Group Chairman Stephen Helmsley, Chief People Officer Erin McSweeney, and Chief Accounting Officer Tom Roos sold a combined $101.5 million in shares.
In addition to the selling of shares, another subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group was also targeted in a ransomware attack earlier this year, which resulted in up to one-third of Americans’ data, including social security numbers, potentially being compromised.
The company ended up paying a $22 million ransom to the hackers. The ransomware attack cost the massive company an estimated $705 million when business disruption was factored in, Reuters reported.
Thompson was shot and killed in what authorities believe was a “brazen targeted attack” before he made it to the Hilton hotel to take part in his company’s annual Investor’s Conference.
Disturbing surveillance video footage of the killing showed Thompson being targeted in an execution-style shooting outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown.
The suspect, who authorities believe is a male, was wearing a black hoodie and black mask and carrying a gray backpack.
Authorities believe he fled the scene on foot before getting on a city e-bike and riding into Central Park.
Thompson’s wife told NBC News that her husband has faced multiple death threats, but added that she did not know the specifics of the threats.
“There had been some threats. Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him,” she said.
As of this morning, police still have not made any arrests.
Police are offering a $10,000 reward for information on the suspect.
This is an on-going story. Check back for further updates.