Police find words written on shell casings after health insurance boss shot dead

A manhunt is underway after Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot outside a New York hotel on Wednesday

Police found the words “deny”, “defend” and “depose” on the shell casings of the bullets at the scene of the fatal shooting of the American insurance CEO in New York.

Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was on the way to to the company’s annual investor conference when he was fatally shot outside the Hilton Midtown Hotel on Wednesday.

The words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were found written on the shell casings at the scene, ABC News reported, citing police sources. It is unclear how many shell casings there were.

A mobile phone was also recovered by investigators from the alleyway where the suspect fled.

Police used drones, helicopters and dogs in an intense search, but the suspects whereabouts continue to be unknown at the time of writing.

The killing, and the shooter’s movements in the minutes before and afterward, was captured on CCTV.

One video showed him approach Thompson from behind, level his pistol and fire several shots, shortly pausing to clear a brief gun jam.

Other security cameras captured the initial stages of the suspect’s escape, who disappeared after cycling into Central Park on an e-bike.

The masked gunman was “lying in wait” outside the hotel shortly before 7am, according to New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

Police Commissioner Tisch said the incident did not seem to be a “random act of violence” but rather a “targeted shooting”.

She said: “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target.”

Mr Thompson was shot at least once in the back and once in the calf, and was taken to hospital in a critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead.

The police department offered a reward of up to $10,000 (£7,864) for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Mr Thompson was fatally shot outside the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan. / Credit: AP

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.”

A spokesperson for the New York Hilton Hotel, where Mr Thompson was walking towards when he was shot, said they were “deeply saddened” by the events.

It continued: “Our thoughts are with all affected by the tragedy. Additional questions should be directed to the New York Police Department.”

Brian Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. / Credit: AP

UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, ended its scheduled conference on Wednesday, due to what they called a “very serious medical situation with one of our team members”.

Mr Thompson 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.

Tim Walz, governor of Mr Thompson’s home state of Minnesota, said he was sending prayers to his family and UnitedHealthcare.

“This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota,” he said.