Authorities in New York City are currently investigating the significance of three words etched onto bullets used in the attack on UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The 50-year-old was fatally shot in what police have described as a ‘brazen, targeted’ incident outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel at approximately 6:40am local time on Wednesday, December 4.
Officials suspect the gunman was waiting for Thompson, as it was known he was in Manhattan for the UnitedHealthcare investors conference, which was to commence at 8am.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch noted after reviewing surveillance footage: “People passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target.”
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny stated that Thompson’s death ‘does not appear to be a random act of violence,’ though the motive remains unclear.
During the investigation, NYPD officers reportedly discovered shell casings inscribed with the words ‘deny’, ‘defend’, and ‘depose’.
A source has informed The New York Post that detectives are examining these words due to their resemblance to a 2010 publication critical of the health insurance sector.
The book, authored by Jay M. Feinman, a professor at Rutgers Law School, is titled: “Delay, Deny, Defend: Why insurance companies don’t pay claims and what you can do about it.”
The police source mentioned that investigators are exploring potential links to the book and broader associations with the health industry as possible motives.
Professor Feinman has not commented on whether the words refer to his work.
Following the incident, Thompson’s estranged wife, Paulette Thompson, revealed to NBC News that he had been threatened before his death.
“I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him,” she mentioned.
Paulette described her husband’s death as ‘senseless’, adding: “Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives. Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed.”
After the shooting, the suspect escaped through an alley and rode a bike into Central Park. The police are actively searching for the suspect and encourage anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.