The individual who fatally shot UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson had reportedly carved three specific words into the bullets used in the attack, according to police sources.
Thompson was shot and killed early yesterday morning (December 4) at 6:46 am Eastern Time, just outside the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan, New York City.
The victim, a father of two, was struck at least once in the back and in the right calf. He was urgently transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition but was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) suggests that the shooter seemed to be ‘lying in wait’ for Thompson, indicating that the incident was likely a targeted attack rather than a random act of violence.
Authorities believe the suspect, who remains at large as of this morning (December 5), escaped the scene by dashing down an alley before eyewitnesses reported him fleeing on an electric bike through Central Park, where he was last spotted at 6:48 am.
Amar Abdelmula, who observed the shooting from inside his vehicle, told PIX11: “I wasn’t paying attention and then I heard the shot.
“It was [a] silent gun, black gun, [I] saw him after he shot him and was running across the street. I tried to take a picture, but [he was] too far away, not clear.
“I was shocked. First time I see crime in front of me. I was afraid he (would) shoot me too, my car, I saw everything.”
Reports from the New York Post and ABC News indicate that NYPD sources allegedly confirmed that three words were etched onto the bullets: ‘deny’, ‘depose’, and ‘defend’.
These words were inscribed on both the shell casings and live rounds used in the attack on Thompson, which The New York Post noted bears resemblance to a 2010 book criticizing the insurance industry.
The book, titled “Delay, Deny, Defend,” describes: “Why insurance companies don’t pay claims and what you can do about it.”
United Healthcare had planned to hold an investor conference on Wednesday (December 4), but this was promptly canceled following the shooting.
Andrew Witty, CEO of United Healthcare’s parent company UnitedHealth Group, stated at the event: “We’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members.
“As a result, I’m afraid, we’re going to have to bring to a close the event.”
Although a motive for the attack has yet to be identified by the police, Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, spoke to NBC News, revealing that her husband had received threats. She stated: “I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.
“I can’t really give a thoughtful response right now. I just found this out and I’m trying to console my children.”