UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Fatally Shot in Broad Daylight in Front of Midtown Hilton

Mar. 15, 2025

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in Manhattan on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in front of the Hilton hotel.A New York Police Department spokesman tells PEOPLE that officers responded to a call at about 6:40 a.m. in front of 1335 Sixth Avenue, the address for the New York Hilton Midtown, where they found a 50-year-old man who’d been shot in the chest. The victim was transported to the hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.The spokesman said the victim’s name is being withheld publicly pending family notification, but UnitedHealth Group confirmed Thompson as the victim.According to an NYPD spokesman, the gunman fled east on Sixth Avenue and police are still trying to locate him.According to his bio on the company’s website, Thompson was named CEO in April 2021. Prior to that, he was CEO of the company’s government programs, including its medicare program.UnitedHealth GroupHe joined the company in 2004, according to his bio.Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.Lorie Burleson, Provider Advocate Account Manager at UnitedHealthCare, issued a statement on LinkedIn about the fatal shooting.“This morning, we learned of the devastating loss of our CEO, Brian Thompson, who was tragically taken from us,” she wrote. “This is an unimaginable loss forUnitedHealth Groupand for everyone who knew him.“To my UHC family, my heart is with each of you during this incredibly difficult time. Let us come together to honor Brian’s legacy and support one another as we navigate this tragedy.“This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in Manhattan on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in front of the Hilton hotel.

A New York Police Department spokesman tells PEOPLE that officers responded to a call at about 6:40 a.m. in front of 1335 Sixth Avenue, the address for the New York Hilton Midtown, where they found a 50-year-old man who’d been shot in the chest. The victim was transported to the hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

The spokesman said the victim’s name is being withheld publicly pending family notification, but UnitedHealth Group confirmed Thompson as the victim.

According to an NYPD spokesman, the gunman fled east on Sixth Avenue and police are still trying to locate him.

According to his bio on the company’s website, Thompson was named CEO in April 2021. Prior to that, he was CEO of the company’s government programs, including its medicare program.

UnitedHealth Group

He joined the company in 2004, according to his bio.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Lorie Burleson, Provider Advocate Account Manager at UnitedHealthCare, issued a statement on LinkedIn about the fatal shooting.

“This morning, we learned of the devastating loss of our CEO, Brian Thompson, who was tragically taken from us,” she wrote. “This is an unimaginable loss forUnitedHealth Groupand for everyone who knew him.“To my UHC family, my heart is with each of you during this incredibly difficult time. Let us come together to honor Brian’s legacy and support one another as we navigate this tragedy.”

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.

source: people.com