CEO of UnitedHealthcare is killed in New York

The CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the nation's largest health insurers, was fatally shot in the chest in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning, according to a police report and two people familiar with the matter.

The report said the executive, Brian Thompson, 50, was shot just after 6:45 a.m. at 1335 Sixth Ave., the address for the New York Hilton Midtown, according to the report. Thompson was taken to Mount Sinai West in critical condition.

Police officers are still searching for the gunman, who fled east along Sixth Avenue, the report said. He was wearing a cream-colored jacket, a black face mask and a gray backpack.


Read More: Who was Brian Thompson? UnitedHealthcare CEO shot dead in New York city

Police believe Thompson was targeted in the attack, which happened during the company's annual investor conference in New York City.

Thompson had arrived early to prepare, according to the people familiar with the investigation. The gunman apparently knew which door Thompson was going to enter and shot him several times from mere feet away, then fled. The gunman, the people said, ran, jumped on a bicycle and pedaled away.

Just after 9 a.m. Wednesday, yellow caution tape closed off the section of West 54th Street just outside the hotel entrance. Inside, the morning continued as usual, with guests ordering coffee and arriving with luggage.

The only sign of trouble was a small group of police officers huddled in front of a check-in sign for the conference.

Thompson was promoted to CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021, heading one unit of the larger UnitedHealth Group. He lives in Minnesota.