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Thompson, 50, was due to speak at a meeting with investors when he was shot and killed outside New York’s Hilton Midtown at around 6.45am (8.45pm AEDT) on Wednesday by a gunman who fled on foot and then rode an e-bike into Central Park, according to New York police.
Thompson was taken to the hospital, but he could not be saved. As of late morning, the police were still looking for the attacker and no one had been arrested.
Although officials said the attack appeared to be targeted, they did not yet have a motive for the shooting.
Mayor Eric Adams said police are reviewing evidence from the scene, including video.
“It appears to have been clearly targeted by an individual and we will arrest that individual,” Adams said.
UnitedHealthcare is the insurance arm of healthcare giant UnitedHealth Group.
The Minnesota-based company was scheduled to hold its annual meeting with investors in New York to update Wall Street on the company’s direction and expectations for the coming year, according to a company media advisory. It was announced to the participants on Wednesday morning that the conference was ending early.
The Hilton is located in a bustling part of Manhattan, a short walk from tourist spots like the Museum of Modern Art and Rockefeller Center, and on weekday mornings it’s often packed with tourists and office workers.
Rockefeller Center’s popular Christmas tree lighting is set to take place on Wednesday night (Thursday morning AEDT).
Part of the block where the shooting took place was cordoned off with police tape, and a large contingent of police officers was at the scene. There are many security cameras nearby.
Thompson has been CEO for more than three years and has been with the company since 2004.
“This is terrible news and a terrible loss for the Minnesota business and healthcare community,” the Democrat wrote.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the US and administers state and federally funded employer health insurance and Medicaid programs.
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