A female hostel employee where the suspect was staying reportedly asked the man to lower his mask
Yesterday, police released the image of a smiling person of interest in Wednesday’s fatal UnitedHealthcare shooting, which an official has now called a “flirtatious moment.”
On Wednesday morning around 6:45 a.m., the CEO of one of America’s largest providers of health insurance UnitedHealthcare was fatally shot on his way to a conference. Brian Thompson was killed outside of the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan, and as of Friday morning, the suspect remains at large.
Thompson was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Police released a series of images of the suspect later on Wednesday, showing a man wearing a jacket with a hood and a mask covering his mouth and nose. He was carrying a grey backpack.
“That little flirtation between the two of them, in some good-humoured way, actually yielded what is so far the most significant clue to identifying him,” said Miller.
Police believe that the suspect arrived in New York 10 days before the shooting by taking a Greyhound bus, CNN reported. It is not known where he boarded the bus, but the route started in Atlanta, police sources told the publication. If the suspect boarded in Atlanta, the trip would have taken a minimum of roughly 17 hours depending on the route, according to Greyhound’s website.
What we know about the UnitedHealthcare CEO shot in targeted attack outside N.Y.C. hotel
Upon arriving in New York City on Nov. 24, the suspect checked into the hostel. He checked out on Nov. 29, but checked back in the following day, sources said. He reportedly roomed with two other men during his stay.
Meanwhile, the manhunt continues.
Police are testing items left near the scene, such as a protein bar wrapper and a bottle of water, the Associated Press reported. They are being tested by the city’s medical examiner.
In a statement, UnitedHealth Group said it was “heartbroken,” per AP.
“We have been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place,” the company said.
On Friday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he was confident the shooter would be apprehended, he told television station WPIX, AP reported.
“We are on the right road to apprehend him and bring him to justice,” said Adams.
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