UnitedHealthcare (UHC) CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in a targeted attack early Wednesday morning outside a midtown Manhattan Hilton where he was staying. A man wearing a dark-colored jacket, hat, ski mask and gray backpack had been lying in wait as Thompson left the building. Investigators say the shooter left behind shell casings inscribed with the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose,” a cryptic message they believe may hold clues to the motive.
Authorities are exploring a potential connection between the inscriptions and the 2010 book Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It, which criticizes the insurance industry’s practices. Investigators are working to piece together evidence to identify the assailant, who remains at large.
NEW: The man who m*rdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson inscribed the words “deny,” “defend” & “depose” on the shell casings that were left at the scene.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 5, 2024
The masked ass*ssin is still on the run as details of his whereabouts remain unknown.
The inscription could be linked… pic.twitter.com/71mTCOOgN1
UHC has faced criticism and legal challenges regarding its claim denial practices. Notably, a 2023 lawsuit alleged that UHC utilized a flawed artificial intelligence algorithm to override physicians’ decisions, resulting in the wrongful denial of essential health coverage for elderly patients. The AI model reportedly had a 90% error rate, leading to premature discharge of patients from rehabilitation programs and care facilities.
Further scrutiny came from a 2024 Senate report, which criticized UHC and other major insurers for employing predictive technologies to increase prior authorization denials for post-acute services, thereby boosting profits. The report highlighted that between 2019 and 2022, UHC’s denial rate for post-acute services rose from 8.7% to 22.7%, with a ninefold increase in denials for skilled nursing home services.
Customer reviews also reflect dissatisfaction with UHC’s claim handling. A 2024 Forbes Advisor review noted that UHC’s premiums are higher than some competitors, and the company’s complaint level is well above the industry average. Additionally, a 2024 analysis by ValuePenguin found that UHC denied about one-third of in-network claims, a higher rate compared to other insurers.
Details of the Attack
Video footage released Wednesday shows a masked gunman executing Thompson in public as a nearby bystander flees in shock. The footage reveals Thompson being struck by multiple shots before collapsing. A pedestrian holding a cup of coffee, who was seen leaning against the Hilton’s entrance, sprinted off camera as the attack unfolded. Traffic continued to pass mere feet from the grisly scene.
The shooter used a weapon outfitted with a silencer and subsonic rounds, significantly muting the sound of gunfire. At one point, the gun jammed, but the assailant calmly fixed the weapon before resuming his attack. He fled the scene through a nearby alley and was last seen heading into Central Park.
Clues Left Behind
Investigators recovered a number of items believed to be connected to the suspect, including a discarded phone found in a nearby alley. Surveillance footage also captured the man purchasing coffee, a water bottle and energy bars at a nearby Starbucks shortly before the attack.
Authorities have not yet determined a motive. However, the inscribed shell casings and their potential link to criticism of the health insurance industry remain a focus of the investigation.
Search for the Killer
The shooter, described as methodical and unflinching during the attack, remains at large. Law enforcement officials are urging the public to come forward with any information that could aid the investigation. So far, no arrests have been made, and the man’s whereabouts are unknown.
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Cops can’t seem to find punk gang-bangers, how are they going to find somebody who really knows what they’re doing ?
Blame the insurance industry for this one, they’ve earned it !
Could also be, instead of a “clue,” a misdirection to throw the cops off the trail. CEO’s of companies doing dishonest things could be involved in any number of nefarious activities.