Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot outdoors of a Hilton lodge in Manhattan on Wednesday morning in what seems to be a focused assault, the New York Metropolis Police Division mentioned.

Officers responded to a 911 name of a taking pictures outdoors the lodge at round 6:46 a.m. and located Thompson, 50, on the sidewalk with gunshot wounds to his again and his leg, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch mentioned at a information convention afterward Wednesday. (An earlier model of this put up said Thompson had been shot within the chest, citing an NYPD spokesperson.) Thompson was transported to the hospital, the place he was pronounced useless.

Police mentioned the suspect appeared to have been mendacity in anticipate Thompson. In line with safety footage, the suspect approached Thompson from behind and fired a number of rounds at him, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny mentioned. The suspect fled on foot and later boarded an electrical Citibike and rode into Central Park.

“The motive for this homicide at the moment is unknown, however primarily based on the proof now we have thus far, it does seem that the sufferer was particularly focused, however at this level we have no idea why,” Kenny mentioned. “This doesn’t look like a random act of violence.”

No arrests have been made. Police have requested the general public to assist establish the suspect, providing a $10,000 reward for info. Police described the suspect as a “light-skinned male” carrying a “mild brown or cream-colored jacket,” black face masks, and a “very distinctive” gray backpack.

A cellphone was recovered on the scene. Police mentioned the cellphone will likely be processed forensically.

Thompson, who resided in Minnesota, arrived in New York Metropolis on Monday for an investor convention, the place he was anticipated to talk. Police mentioned he gave the impression to be heading to the convention when he was shot.

Thompson’s spouse, Paulette Thompson, informed NBC Information in a cellphone name that he had been receiving threats.

“There had been some threats,” she mentioned. “Principally, I don’t know, a scarcity of protection? I don’t know particulars. I simply know that he mentioned there have been some those that had been threatening him.”

UnitedHealth Group was scheduled to host an investor day on the lodge on Wednesday. The occasion has since been canceled, CNBC reported. On the occasion on Wednesday morning, the corporate didn’t verify the taking pictures however employees referred to a “very severe medical state of affairs with considered one of our group members” as the explanation for the closure, in line with a transcript of the remarks seen by CNBC.

Thompson was named UnitedHealthcare CEO in April 2021, in line with his biography on the corporate web site. He joined UnitedHealth Group, the mum or dad firm of UnitedHealthcare, in 2004. He held a number of management roles on the firm earlier than being named CEO.

Police mentioned they don’t count on the taking pictures to have an effect on the Rockefeller Heart Christmas tree lighting, a large occasion that draws hundreds of individuals, on Wednesday night. Chief Jeffrey Maddrey mentioned the NYPD can have a big presence throughout a number of blocks within the space — because it usually does for the annual tree lighting — in addition to within the subway.

It is a creating story. Examine again for updates.

Clarissa-Jan Lim

Clarissa-Jan Lim is a breaking/trending information blogger for MSNBC Digital. She was beforehand a senior reporter and editor at BuzzFeed Information.