UnitedHealthcare CEO shot dead in New York City’s Midtown Manhattan

Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth’s insurance unit, was fatally shot in the chest on Wednesday morning outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan, several media outlets reported, citing police officials.

The New York Police Department said a man was shot in front of the Hilton’s address around 6.40am ET and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, but did not confirm the victim’s identity.

Investigators told CNN that the gunman was waiting in the area for some time before Thompson’s arrival, and The New York Times reported that police view the attack as targeted.

Police were still searching for the suspect, who fled on foot wearing a black face mask and a grey backpack, the Times reported.

UnitedHealth Group was hosting a scheduled investor event at the Hilton on Wednesday, but Chief Executive Andrew Witty took the stage about one hour after its start to announce it was cancelling the remainder of the programme.