new york – The NYPD says UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed in a shooting Wednesday morning outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan.
A spokesperson for UnitedHealthcare told CBS News the shooting occurred during the company's investor conference. According to its website, Thompson had been with the company since 2004 and was named CEO in 2021.
Police sources say the 50-year-old CEO was shot once in the chest in what appears to be a targeted attack. He was taken to Mount Sinai West, but did not survive his injuries.
Investigators are now searching for the gunman, who sources say was wearing a black face mask.
A law enforcement source told CBS News investigators have video of the shooting, and it appears the suspect was already waiting for Thompson. He was not robbed and at present the police have no motive.
Fatal shooting in busy midtown Manhattan
CBS News New York
The shooting occurred shortly before 6:45 a.m. outside the Hilton Midtown Hotel on Sixth Avenue near West 54th Street. More than a dozen officers responded and blocked West 54th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues for the morning commute.
“We are deeply saddened by this morning's events in the area and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy,” a spokesperson for the hotel said in a statement.
The hotel is located in a busy area, just a stone's throw from Rockefeller Center, where the annual event Tree lighting ceremony to be held Wednesday night,
A witness said he was sitting inside his car when he heard a gunshot and saw a man running away with a gun in his hand.
“I was looking at my phone and I heard the gunshot,” he said. “I was shocked, this is the first time I have seen a crime in front of me. Now I am afraid he might shoot me too.”
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline 1-800-577-TIPS (8477)Or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. You can also submit a tip through their websiteAll calls are kept confidential.
Stay with CBS News New York for the latest updates on this developing story.
Contributed to this report.
