In an early morning press conference, the New York City Police Department described the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as an apparent “brazen, targeted attack.”
Breitbart News reported that Thompson, 50, was shot and killed just after 6:45 a.m. Wednesday outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenney noticed Officers arrived at the scene at 6:48 a.m., and Thompson was then taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m.
Kenney noted that surveillance video showed Thompson walking alone from the hotel to the Hilton at 6:40 a.m. The attacker was wearing a “distinctive gray backpack,” a black face mask, a light brown jacket, and white and black sneakers.[ignored] It was a lot of other pedestrians.'' Thompson approached him from behind and shot him in the back.
The gunman fired multiple shots, striking Thompson multiple times, and was able to unclog the gun while firing. Kenney believes the attacker was “skilled in the use of firearms,” as he had the ability to unjam the gun.
The suspect fled the scene on an E-City bicycle and was last seen “riding into Central Park on Central Drive.”
Kenney said the NYPD believes Thompson was “specifically targeted” but doesn't know why.
AWR Hawkins is an award-winning Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and also writes Down Range with AWR Hawkins, a weekly newsletter focused on all things Second Amendment for Breitbart News. He is also a writer and curator. He is a political analyst for Armed American Radio, a member of Gun Owners of America, a professional staff member for Pulsar Night Vision, and director of global marketing for Lone Star Hunts. . He was a Visiting Fellow at the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal in 2010 and holds a Ph.D. in military history. Follow him on Instagram: @awr_hawkins. To get Down Range, you can sign up at breitbart.com/downrange. Contact him directly: awrhawkins@breitbart.com.
