The words “defend”, “deny” and “depose” were found on spent bullet cases at the scene in Manhattan where Brian Thompson was fatally shot, ITV News’ Neil Connery reports
Police have issued new CCTV images of the man suspected of fatally shooting the CEO of UnitedHealthcare in New York.
In the images, the suspect – who has not been identified – appears to be smiling while flirting with a female employee at a hostel hours before he allegedly killed Brian Thompson outside the Hilton Midtown Hotel on Wednesday.
Thompson was on the way to the company’s annual investor conference when he was shot. He later died in hospital.
New York Police Department (NYPD) released CCTV photos on Thursday showing the suspect’s face for the first time. He was masked at the time of the attack.
Police believe the suspect arrived in New York City by bus ten days prior to the shooting on November 24. He was captured on CCTV arriving at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan around 9pm that same day.
The suspect then went to the hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and checked in using a fake New Jersey driver’s licence.
Though the bus started its journey in Atlanta, it is not known if the suspected boarded in the southern city or somewhere else.
He checked out of the hostel on November 29, before checking back in on November 30, multiple law enforcement sources previously told CNN.
NYPD offered a $10,000 (£7,839) reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
The NYPD’s post on X also said: “This does not appear to be a random act of violence; all indications are that it was a premeditated, targeted attack.”
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said on Wednesday that the gunman appeared to wait for Thompson to approach, ignoring others who walked past.
He is believed to have bought a bottle of water and two energy bars half an hour before fatally shooting the insurance CEO.
It comes after investigators uncovered the words “deny”, “defend” and “depose” inscribed on shell casings of the bullets used in the shooting.
The suspect is believed to have experience with firearms, as the weapon was equipped with a silencer and the man managed to overcome a brief gun jam.
A mobile phone was also recovered by investigators from the alleyway where the suspect fled. He is believed to have cycled into Central Park on an e-bike which police believe could have been positioned ahead of time for his escape.
Police still do not know where he got the e-bike.
Police have used drones, helicopters and dogs in an intense search, but the suspect’s whereabouts are still unknown.
Mr Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that the executive told her “there were some people that had been threatening him.” She said she didn’t have details, but suggested they may have involved issues with insurance coverage.
In a statement, UnitedHealth Group said: “We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
“Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him.”
Mr Thompson, a father of two sons, has been CEO of UnitedHealthcare for more than three years and joined the company in 2004.
The company is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the country and also manages health insurance coverage for state and federally funded Medicaid programs.
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