Health insurer’s CEO shot dead in New York by attacker who waited for him, police say

Health insurer’s CEO shot dead in New York by attacker who waited for him, police say

The head of a major American health insurance company was shot dead on a sidewalk in New York City on Wednesday in what appeared to be a “brazen targeted attack,” according to police.

Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was killed as he walked into the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan just before 6:45 a.m. ET. Police said the attacker had been waiting for Thompson, who was heading to the hotel early for the company’s annual investors conference. 

“This does not appear to be a random act of violence,” New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference on Wednesday.

“At this time, every indication is this was a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack.”

The police department’s chief of detectives, Joseph Kenny, said the shooter got to the hotel about five minutes before Thompson, who had been staying in another hotel across the street. Standing along the building’s edge, the suspect let several people pass by unharmed before opening fire on the businessman.

The gun malfunctioned, but the shooter cleared the jam. They also ignored a witness in the video, who escaped from just a metre or two away. 

“Based on the evidence we have so far, it does appear that the victim was specifically targeted, but at this point, we do not know why,” Kenny said.

The suspect escaped on foot before switching to an electric Citi Bike. They were last seen on video riding into Central Park at 6:48 a.m., the officer said.

Thompson, 50, was pronounced dead at Roosevelt Hospital at 7:12 a.m.

---

Kenny said the executive did not appear to have a security detail and did not seem to realize he was in danger. The footage of the shooting does not have sound, he said, so officers didn’t yet know whether the shooter said anything to him.

UnitedHealthcare is the insurance arm of the health-care giant UnitedHealth Group Inc. The Minnesota-based company was scheduled to meet with investors in New York City to update Wall Street on its direction and expectations for the coming year, according to a company media advisory.

UnitedHealth Group chief executive Andrew Witty took the stage about one hour after the event started and announced the rest of the program would be cancelled.

“We’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members, and as a result, I’m afraid we’re going to have to bring to a close the event today,” he said.

Thompson, who lived in Minnesota, had been in the city since Monday. 

“Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time,” it read.

“Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”

Thompson was with company 20 years

The Hilton is in a bustling part of Manhattan, a short walk from tourist sites such as the Museum of Modern Art and Rockefeller Center and often dense with tourists and office workers on weekday mornings.

Police said the shooting would not affect the annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center, a few blocks from the Hilton, which draws large crowds and is scheduled to take place in a televised event on Wednesday evening.

Part of the block where the shooting took place was cordoned off with police tape, with a large contingent of police officers at the scene. 

Thompson, who had served as CEO for more than three years, had been with the company since 2004. Police said they are still working to determine a motive. 

Officers are also working with Citi Bike to track the GPS-enabled bicycle the shooter used and analyze a cellphone found in a nearby alley.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said the state is “sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team.”

“This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health-care community in Minnesota,” Walz wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. and manages health insurance coverage for employers, as well as Medicaid programs funded by the state and federal governments.

Published at Wed, 04 Dec 2024 17:11:09 +0000

A pie heist? British chef out $45K in savoury meat pies after van stolen with ‘tasty’ goods inside

First, thieves came for our cheese. Then, they came for … well, more cheese. But now they’re coming for savoury meat pies, and people are done.

A British chef who lost 2,500 pies this week after thieves stole his van says “it’s a real shame” that although police eventually recovered the van, the pies meant for a York Christmas market couldn’t be salvaged.

“It’s just such a waste. It’s just rubbish,” chef Tommy Banks said in an Instagram video posted Tuesday.

“Unfortunately not the news I was hoping to share,” he added in the video description.

Banks, who owns two Michelin-starred restaurants and a pub in the northern English county of Yorkshire, said a staff member discovered the van was missing, along with its cargo of steak and ale, turkey and butternut squash pies intended for a Christmas market in the city of York.

The food has been valued at £25,000, or about $44,700 Cdn.

In an earlier Instagram post, Banks explained that colleagues had loaded up their refrigerated van with stock over the weekend, then left it plugged in. When a colleague went to pick up the van Monday morning, it was gone.

“I am guessing the thieves didn’t realise they were stealing 2,500 pies along with the van,” Banks added.

In a statement posted Tuesday, North Yorkshire Police said they’d received a report on Monday “that a refrigerated vehicle containing valuable food stock including pies” had been stolen over the weekend. The van had actually been recovered — abandoned and now with false plates — by Cleveland Police on Nov. 29.

Cleveland Police stored the vehicle until they could perform a forensic investigation.

“We can now confirm that the van has been returned to its owner and there were still pies inside although we do not have an exact number,” the North Yorkshire Police statement reads. 

“We are pleased that the owner has now been reunited with his van, but just as sad as everyone else to hear that the tasty pies in the van have sadly perished,” says the Cleveland Police statement.

Food world still reeling from cheese heists

While this artisanal goods theft may not have been targeted, it comes on the heels of a few very deliberate cheese heists.

In fact, the cheese world is still reeling after a U.K. cheese heist that saw con artists make off with more than £300,000 (or more than $540,000 Cdn) in clothbound, award-winning cheddar. A 63-year-old man was recently arrested and released on bail. 

The cheese — 950 wheels of cheddar weighing 22 tonnes, stolen from Neal’s Yard Dairy in London — has not been recovered.

And late last month, B.C. RCMP revealed they’d recently foiled an attempted cheese heist at a Whole Foods in North Vancouver. They’d been on patrol Sept. 29 when they found a cart full of cheese outside the grocery store. A suspect fled on foot, leaving $12,800 worth of cheese behind.

“First it was cheese, now pies. I’m beginning to think there’s a gang of #Scotties operating,” wrote someone on X.

“Is food theft the latest thing. 22 tonne and £300,000 of cheese few weeks ago and now a van load of pies?” wrote another person.

“Food waste is the worst especially in a cost of living crisis. Hope they catch those responsible,” an Instagram user wrote on Banks’s post.

In his earlier Instagram post, Banks had appealed for the thieves to save the pies, noting they’re in boxes with his name on them so would be difficult to sell.

“So we can at least give them to people who need food and they are not wasted,” he wrote.

“Also I think you are a thieving piece of s–t and I hope you don’t get any presents this Christmas.”

Published at Wed, 04 Dec 2024 19:47:03 +0000