NYPD detectives arrived in Atlanta on Saturday following a large number of tips tied to the as-yet-unidentified suspect wanted in Wednesday’s shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York, sources told ABC News.
The Atlanta Police Department confirmed the arrival of the New York team but declined to provide more details.
The suspect reportedly arrived in New York on Nov. 24 on a Greyhound bus departing from Atlanta, although it is unclear exactly when he may have boarded. Sources told ABC News he was seen on board in Washington, DC
The masked gunman shot Thompson at point blank range at 6:44 a.m. on Dec. 4 outside the New York Hilton Midtown, where Thompson’s company was holding an investor conference. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the attack as “brazen” and “targeted.”
Police have learned that the suspect took a taxi to the Port Authority bus terminal on 178th Street and boarded a bus out of New York City after the shooting, according to police.
An undated NYPD handout photo obtained by Reuters on Dec. 5, 2024 shows a person wanted for questioning in connection with the killing of UnitedHeatlhcare CEO Brian Thompson at an undisclosed location.
Nypd/via Reuters
The NYPD believes it is making good progress toward identifying the shooter, but so far has not, sources told ABC News. Late Saturday, the NYPD released new photos of the suspected shooter in what appeared to be the back of a cab. No further context was provided.
The suspect is believed to have boarded an out-of-town bus that made six or seven stops, police sources said. Investigators have been following leads in several states, the sources said.
The FBI is helping the nationwide manhunt, according to law enforcement sources.
The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying this person wanted for questioning in the midtown Manhattan murder of a CEO on December 4, 2024.
NYPD
Investigators continue to comb New York City – where the suspect is believed to have spent 10 days before the shooting – for evidence.
On Friday night, the NYPD found a backpack that allegedly belonged to the suspect. The bag had only two items inside — a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and Monopoly money — sources with knowledge of the ongoing investigation told ABC News on Saturday.
On Saturday, officers searched a pond near the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. Police divers were involved in the search for evidence. It is unclear if the officers recovered anything from the water.
Investigators believe they have secured DNA samples from several pieces of evidence discovered at or near the crime scene, law enforcement sources told ABC News.
Thompson, CEO of the major insurance company UnitedHealthcare, was shot dead at point blank range in Midtown Manhattan on December 4, 2024.
ABC News
The DNA samples are currently at the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to be run through databases for a possible match — a process that could take several days, the sources said.
Police were also able to pull a fingerprint from a water bottle the suspect purchased at a Starbucks. The print is smudged, so it’s unclear whether it will be helpful to the investigation, sources said.
Police have yet to find the distinctive gun used in the shooting.
NYPD officers search Central Park for evidence in the CEO shooting on December 6, 2024 in New York.
WABC
“The shooter then walks toward the victim and continues to shoot,” NYPD Detective Chief Joseph Kenny said. “The gun appears to be malfunctioning as he clears the jam and starts firing again.”
The words “deny”, “defend” and “depose” were written on the casings, according to police sources.
The words on the bullets echo the title of the 2010 book “Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.” Police are aware of the similarity and are investigating whether a possible motive is anger at the insurance industry, sources say.
Centene, a major health insurer, said it would hold a planned in-person investor day in New York City next week, according to a statement Friday, citing Thompson’s killing.
A backpack found by police in Central Park during the investigation into the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 6, 2024.
Obtained by ABC News
“All of us at Centene are deeply saddened by the death of Brian Thompson and wish to express our support to all those affected,” said Centene Chief Executive Officer Sarah M. London.
“He was someone with a deep sense of empathy and clear passion for improving access to care,” London added. “Our hearts are with his family and his colleagues at this difficult time.”
