After UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was murdered in Manhattan, sparking a citywide investigation, New York City police used a multi-pronged strategy to uncover the perpetrator and his motives. That's likely, a former law enforcement official told FOX News Digital.
In an ambush captured on surveillance video, a gunman wearing head-to-toe black with his face covered pointed a silenced pistol at Thompson outside the Midtown Hilton Hotel at 6:46 a.m. Wednesday. The executive was shot three times.
Among the clues investigators were scrutinizing was a cell phone found in an alley that the gunman used to flee the scene, from which the NYPD collected fingerprints and searched for data. was. A water bottle left at a Starbucks near the murder scene (paid for in cash by the suspect). The words “refusal,” “resignation,” and “defense” left on the shell casings at the scene. Sources said the killer used a fake ID and paid for the room in cash the night before the shooting.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's killer used fake ID to check into New York hostel before murder: Source
A screenshot of surveillance footage released by the New York City Police Department shows a person wanted in connection with the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (NYPD Crime Stoppers)
Several former law enforcement officials told FOX News Digital that they are confident the assassin will be caught, given the evidence he left behind.
“Law enforcement is clearly in a reactive state on this matter, but [but]…The public should trust this – the NYPD has some of the most skilled investigators…and some of the best technology in the world…and they have a dedicated workforce,” said former Sgt. said Matt Fagiana of Law Enforcement. a consultant told Fox News Digital.
“There's definitely multiple people looking at multiple angles at the same time,” he said. “Multiple personnel are focused on searching for the individual. Multiple simultaneous missions are underway as we speak.”
United Healthcare CEO assassin left message: 'Make a statement' or 'throw off the police': Detective
This map shows the reporting route taken by the suspect in the shooting death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Now, former FBI agent Scott Duffy says the NYPD has a team searching for additional surveillance footage of the suspect that could provide further clues.
“They are trained to know where to look and what technology can work in businesses and homes. [with a doorbell camera or security footage] to get it [footage] Please remove all necessary clouds and hardware and return it to the police,” he told FOX News Digital.
Ted Williams, a former homicide detective based in Washington, D.C., said New York investigators are “examining video feeds from before the shooter arrived at the Hilton and to determine his whereabouts.” .
Ultimately, Duffy said, “They got the video that unmasked this guy, and then they used their authority, their surveillance team, their video experts to take this guy through several attacks. It will be possible,” he said. [with] With facial recognition software, you could include your passport or driver's license photo. ”
Duffy said another aspect of the investigation will take place in Thompson's home state of Minnesota.
UnitedHealth CEO's Starbucks visit draws harsh criticism on second day of manhunt for shooting suspect
This undated photo provided by UnitedHealth Group shows UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (AP Photo/United Health Group)
“Start with your inner circle,” Duffy said. “This is a murder in a public block of one of the world's largest cities… [but] If you do it under the assumption that you are being targeted, you don't have to worry about common thieves, street robbers who are trying to take advantage of someone… If you are focusing on the targeted individual, you can start from a small scale. Please start. Family – How is your family situation? ”
Mr Duffy said a “victimology” study would be conducted on Mr Thompson, with investigators interviewing his family, friends and colleagues with whom he interacted regularly.
“Create a small circle, eliminate suspects right away, and then start expanding the circle,” Duffy says.
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Mr Thompson's wife, Pauline Thompson, who is estranged from the CEO, previously said her husband had received death threats.
“We want to know what that communication looks like and what format it takes,” Duffy said. “There are a lot of people in there. [Thompson’s] I think that position, like any politician, is subject to many threats. You will be exposed to numerous threats potentially numbering in the hundreds if not thousands… [But] You don't necessarily want to see thousands of people…then you'll go down the rabbit hole. ”
“We target by: 'Does it look like it's coming from the same person?' The type of communication, what they're saying, how they're saying it,” he continued. ”[They could] Go to the library and use a different IP address…but the message is very similar. Law enforcement must quickly: [determine if the threats is] matches [incident]. ”
Forensic evidence from the scene could also play an important role. Mr Duffy said if the killer's fingerprints or DNA were already in the arrestee's national CODIS system, he would be identified quickly.
He said if the case remains inconclusive for a certain period of time, a genealogical DNA profile could be established to locate the assassin through relatives using DNA ancestry services.
Or the public could help solve the case.
“Some of you may recognize this man's facial features,” Duffy said. “Someone will do it [see photos the agency has distributed] And he says, “Oh my god, that's my brother.'' ”
The NYPD is offering a $10,000 reward in this case and is asking the public to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You can also submit a tip via their website. All calls are kept confidential.
