New York police are using facial recognition and forensic evidence to find the person who shot Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Thompson, 50, was shot on Wednesday morning outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan.
People are paying a lot of attention to this case because Thompson was a well-known figure and the crime seemed strange. Investigators are focusing on a picture from a nearby Starbucks, hoping it will help them identify the shooter.
What Happened?
The shooting happened around 6:45 a.m. when Thompson was walking to the Hilton hotel to speak at an investor conference. The attacker was waiting and, dressed in a light brown or cream jacket with a black mask, shot Thompson multiple times in the back and leg. Even when the gun jammed, the shooter fixed it quickly and kept firing before running away.
There were early reports that the shooter rode away on a Citi Bike, but the bike company, Lyft, confirmed that no bike was used.
Key Clues: Starbucks and Bullet Casings
The police are checking video from the Starbucks where the suspect was seen buying something just before the attack. Even though the person was wearing a mask, part of their nose and eyes showed, which may help police match the face using facial recognition technology.
At the crime scene, police found three bullet casings and three live bullets with words like “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” written on them. They believe these messages might be a clue about why the shooting happened. A phone was also found nearby and is being checked for evidence. Thompson’s hotel room is also being searched for more clues.
Possible Reasons Behind the Attack
It’s unclear why Thompson was attacked. The shooter didn’t take any of Thompson’s things, so robbery isn’t thought to be the reason. Thompson’s wife mentioned that he had received threats before, but she couldn’t give specific details about them. In 2018, there was a suspicious incident at his home in Maple Grove, Minnesota, but police found no crime had occurred.
Attention and Ongoing Investigation
The murder of Thompson has caused a lot of worry, and police are working hard to gather evidence. They are asking anyone who knows something to come forward.
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