Who was Brian Thompson? CEO of UnitedHealthcare fatally shot in Manhattan

The CEO of insurance giant UnitedHealthcare was fatally shot outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan Wednesday morning in what police have called a “brazen targeted attack.”

Brian Thompson, 50, was shot just before 7 a.m. near the hotel on 54th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) said. He was attending UnitedHealth Group’s annual conference for analysts and investors.

Reports: UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in New York City

A spokesperson for NYPD said police arrived and found the man unconscious and unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the leg and chest. Emergency medical responders rushed the man to Mount Sinai West, where he was pronounced dead. Police are still searching for the masked suspect.

“Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him,” UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of United Healthcare, said in a statement. “We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”

Here’s what to know about Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare.

Who was Brian Thompson?

Brian Thompson was the 50-year-old Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthcare. Based in Maple Grove, Minnesota, Thompson was named CEO in April 2021, having joined the company in 2004. According to his LinkedIn profile, he previously served as a manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, before signing on with United as Director of Corporate Development.

He had multiple leadership positions in his time with the company, having last held the title of chief executive officer of government programs, including overseeing the company’s Medicare and retirement and community and state businesses. In his current position, Thompson managed the healthcare benefits business of the company.

He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1997 with a Bachelor’s in business administration and accounting, also according to his LinkedIn.

He is survived by his two sons and wife, Paulette Thompson, who told NBC her husband had previously received threats related to his job. Paulette, 51, is a physical therapist of over 20 years and graduated from the same college as her husband, according to her workplace bio.

What is UnitedHealth Group?

UnitedHealth Group is among the nation’s largest healthcare companies and provides health insurance, pharmacy benefits and healthcare services.

Its health insurance unit, UnitedHealthcare provides coverage for more than 29 million U.S. individuals, according to the company’s website. In 2024, United Healthcare ranked number 8 on the Fortune Global 500, and its parent company, UnitedHealth Group employs 439,000 people, generating $379.5 billion in revenue in 2024, according to Forbes.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Contributing: Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY; Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who was Brian Thompson? What we know about UnitedHealthcare CEO