Police intensify search for masked gunman who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a busy New York street Wednesday morning.
Thompson, 50, was a prominent figure in the health care industry, leading one of the nation’s largest insurers. Married with two teenage sons, he lived in suburban Minneapolis and was in New York to speak at an investors’ meeting at the Hilton Midtown.
The attack took place just a few steps from the hotel entrance. Thompson was alone and preparing to enter the building when the gunman shot him in the back, police said. The suspect then fled on foot and fled on an electric bike toward Central Park.
As police continue their search For the shooter, here’s what we know about Thompson’s life and career at UnitedHealthcare.
Thompson went to high school at South Hamilton High School in Jewell Junction, Iowa.
Wednesday, South Hamilton Community School District released a statement on Facebook about the shooting.
“The South Hamilton Community School District is deeply saddened and shocked by the passing of Brian Thompson, a beloved member of our school community and valedictorian of 1993,” the statement read.
He added that Thompson was “a star student, athlete, homecoming king and respected leader.” His accomplishments and character have left a significant legacy within our schools and community.
After high school, Thompson began his professional journey as a certified public accountant, graduating from the University of Iowa in 1997 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting.
In 2004, Thompson took a position at UnitedHealthcare, based in the Minneapolis suburb of Minnetonka, his LinkedIn showed. He started as director of UnitedHealth’s corporate development team, specializing in mergers and acquisitions.
What is UnitedHealthcare?
UnitedHealthcare is a multinational insurance and health services company and is the the largest insurer in the United States.
According to the company’s website, it works with more than 1.3 million doctors and healthcare professionals and more than 6,700 hospitals and healthcare facilities in the United States.
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According to the company’s LinkedIn, UnitedHealthcare employs 140,000 people in the United States and internationally and is ranked sixth on the Fortune 500 list.
In 2010, Thompson became CFO of UnitedHealthcare Community & State and subsequently moved between different departments within the company, continuing to serve as CFO for several years.
Thompson was named CEO of the company’s Medicare and retirement businesses. And then in 2021, he becomes CEO of the company.
Brian Thompson was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021.
UnitedHealthcare
As CEO of UnitedHealthcare, he was responsible for leading the growth of the company’s global, employer, individual, specialty and government benefits businesses, according to a 2021 Company. statement announcing his appointment.
In 2023, Thompson earned a total compensation of $10.2 million, according to a report. disclosure by the UnitedHealth group. It included his annual salary, bonuses and stock options.
UnitedHealthcare generated $281 billion in revenue last year.
In a press release Wednesdaythe company said: “We are deeply saddened and shocked by the passing of our dear friend and colleague. Brian was a colleague and friend well respected by all who worked with him. We are working closely with the NYPD and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.
“Our thoughts are with Brian’s family and all his loved ones.”
Thompson was married with two sons and lived in Maple Grove, Minnesota, about a 20-minute drive from the company’s headquarters.
His wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News Wednesday that her husband had received threats.
“There were threats,” she said. “I don’t know the details. I just know he said some people were threatening him.
NBC News quoted her as saying police told her the shooting was “a planned attack.”
In a statement to Fox Newsshe also said: “Brian was an incredibly loving, generous and talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives. Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and he will be greatly missed.
– with files from the Associated Press