Newly released photos from a taxi’s interior camera show the suspected assassin of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as the manhunt intensifies.
The images, shared by the New York Police Department on Saturday, depict the suspect outside the cab and peering through its partition, his face partially concealed by a blue medical mask.
Brian Thompson, 56, was fatally shot on Wednesday morning outside the New York Hilton Midtown, where his company was holding an investor conference. Authorities believe the attack was targeted, with New York City Mayor Eric Adams stating, “The net is tightening.”
Using extensive surveillance footage, police have pieced together much of the suspect’s movements before and after the shooting. He ambushed Thompson at 6:44am outside the Hilton, using a 9mm pistol designed to minimise noise. Shell casings found at the scene were inscribed with the words “delay,” “deny,” and “depose,” echoing phrases critical of the insurance industry.
After fleeing the scene on a bicycle, the shooter entered Central Park, abandoning the bike near 85th Street. Polic e later found his backpack in the park, containing a jacket and fake Monopoly money. Officers also deployed divers to search a pond for additional evidence.
By 7:30am surveillance footage showed the suspect arriving at the George Washington Bridge Bus Station by taxi, but investigators have yet to confirm whether he boarded a bus or where he traveled next.
Detectives discovered the suspect had been in New York for ten days before the shooting, arriving via Greyhound bus from Atlanta. He paid cash for taxis and a hostel stay, using what is believed to be a fake ID. At the hostel, he remained reclusive, keeping his face covered except for a brief moment when he lowered his mask to smile at an employee.
This fleeting moment was captured on camera, providing investigators with a rare glimpse of his face. However, attempts to identify him using facial recognition have so far been unsuccessful, reports the Mirror.
The NYPD, working alongside the FBI, has ramped up efforts to track down the gunman, offering a combined reward of $60,000 for information leading to his arrest. Hundreds of detectives are poring over video footage, social media tips, and evidence, including a fingerprint from an item purchased by the suspect minutes before the shooting.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny described the painstaking nature of the investigation: “This isn’t ‘Blue Bloods.’ We’re not going to solve this in 60 minutes.”
Authorities believe the gunman’s detailed knowledge of Thompson’s schedule and the investor conference suggests a possible motive linked to UnitedHealthcare. While the suspect acted alone, the level of planning raises questions about whether he had personal grievances as an employee, client, or critic of the insurance industry.
As the manhunt expands across state lines, authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any potential sightings. The FBI and NYPD are closely monitoring surveillance networks and public transit hubs in hopes of uncovering the suspect’s escape route.
Mayor Adams has assured New Yorkers that the city’s resources are fully mobilised to ensure justice is served. “This case is a priority,” he said. “We will find this individual and hold them accountable.”
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