Manhunt Underway: United HealthCare CEO Shot on NYC Street

[@Momma_n_em]

A horrific tragedy. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

[@DrewAnti1960]

I think the gunman might have a family member that was denied medical treatment because of the insurance company and that’s what happened. But the way he cleared that barrel jam was professional he’s not a newbie that’s for sure. He knows firearms.

[@jamesbowman6925]

United Healthcare has a reputation for weasling out of paying legitimate claims (by denying referrals, by labeling proven treatments experimental, and so on). I'm not surprised that this happened; I'm surprised that it took so long.

[@kawehionalani]

Word on the street is he did insider trading and under investigation with the DOJ

[@NedSmith-xu6tm]

Thank you for outstanding coverage on this very sad story. Your guests really are the best and offer excellent knowledge and insight.

[@animallover9037]

Great show! Thanks for the “best guests” and their incredible knowledge.

[@GeoTime402]

Joel, outstanding coverage of this horrific killing.

[@Eloise-zt8uq]

Great to hear you will do more breaking news stories. I’ve found myself going to your show to see if you were covering a breaking news story. Now you Probably will be! Super!

[@santafilipina9020]

As a former executive assistant who worked for a CEO, the annual investors meetings last about 3 days with a lineup of speakers from different companies. They start with breakfast usually around 7ish. The shooter knew the schedule because these meetings are usually public. The guest speakers including the ones running the show get booked at the same venue where the investors meeting is held because of discounted block room rates. It’s puzzling to me why this CEO wasn’t staying at the Hilton. This could have saved his life😢. Very sad indeed.

[@jw_FL]

It could be because it’s Christmas and the hotel didn’t have availability for these dates. A lot of plan plan their vacations way in advance so the event planners failed to consider that and missed out

[@santafilipina9020]

@ We planned events up to a year in advance as we are familiar with all the wrinkles that could occur. AIMs are big deal and host companies are veterans at this game. The host company (in this case the slain CEO) usually gets first dibs. My only conclusion is that he preferred to stay outside the venue 🤷‍♀️

[@bleacherz7503]

Was he staying at a higher-end hotel?

[@hlowrylong]

I’ve attended many of these, and I agree with your comment. Most last longer. However I checked their investor relations site, and their news release reflects that they scheduled only one day for their investor meeting - today, Wednesday, 12/4/2024, starting at 8:00am. It matches what UNH did one year prior in 2023, on a Wednesday, 11/29/2023 starting at 8:00am.

[@debivanmarter]

All ceo's are crooked, especially those in healthcare.

[@Griffinand3]

Thank you Rob and the other two guest for your service! However, Rob you are awesome!

[@dinaboop]

UHC's payment processing was hacked earlier this year, and it made it difficult for small medical practices to make payroll and keep afloat. We are talking about billions of dollars held in limbo. I can see someone being really angry about that.

[@jenw7344]

And us big health systems also

[@Lynda-l4t5x]

I don’t think this has anything to do with an insurance claim. And for the wife to immediately throw that out, is suspicious to me. This points to an “inside job” - either the wife or corporate/political sure raises flags. This shooter knew his itinerary - the guy lived in MN, had to fly to NYC, had meetings at a specific time and at that location. Only a handful of people would know these details. I also believe the shooter has done this before - he was calm, had a plan, knew the area, and is long gone. NYC is the perfect place to commit a crime like this right now, with the number of gangs and illegal activities going in…..makes it easy to get rid of evidence.

[@maddieray5406]

He was going to a yearly investor conference. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know the chief will be there and stand outside and wait for him to arrive.

[@u.synlig]

"[W]ith the number of gangs and illegal activities going on, makes it easy to get rid of evidence." 😁 1) The river has always been there; 2) there were more gangs and illegal activities going on in the 1980s; and 3) it would have been easier to get rid of evidence then (in the '80s), because in addition to the greater incidence of illegal activity, there was less (and less sophisticated) surveillance -- both publicly organized, private business maintained and personal residence-related.

[@Lynda-l4t5x]

@@maddieray5406 - obviously you know more than most, right?? So why wouldn’t Thompson be staying at the very hotel that the conference was held??? That would be normal and expected. So how would the shooter know that he stayed somewhere else and not at the Hilton? How would the shooter know that he would be arriving early at the Hilton?? Not rocket science….more like inside information!! Corporate itinerary information is not something that is given out publicly, even within their own offices.

[@Lynda-l4t5x]

@ - guess you haven’t been there lately! The “sanctuary city” tents that house all the illegal immigrants including the Venezualan gangs, which have been off limits to law enforcement, either by law or by choice - no one is sure. Guns, drugs and stolen goods are rampant in those confined areas - easy to get rid of anything quickly!

[@rustyrobinson8027]

That CEO looks like one of those lizard people I've heard about 🤯🇺🇸

[@MonibooFinebean]

…who else would he tell ‘I’m getting up insanely early to make the conference . ‘

[@GG_11_11]

If he was getting calls with threats he would have had security with him. Did he change his home phone number recently? If you're getting threatened you will change your home phone number. Insurance business CEO will understand risk assessment and can't believe he would have not hired security if he was getting threats to his home.

[@eastcoastguy7914]

Who has a home Phone number anymore?

[@Naomi_NocturnElle]

I think the gun is a B&T station 6- requires manual racking. That was not jamming on the video

[@pathanson4856]

Where is the video?

[@u.synlig]

If it was not jamming, why were three (3) unspent cartridges ejected and found at the scene (in addition to the three spent casings)?

[@lauriewoodman1140]

This is so horrible. Prayers for his family

[@hlowrylong]

I’m sure you all have learned several things: 1- Brian Thompson was the CEO of the United healthcare insurance arm, not of the entire company. It’s a huge job, but not the biggest job. 2- Insiders are controlled as to when they can trade their stock, and evidently he and 3 other execs sold stock during a period that they shouldn’t have. So the DOJ was investigating them, but it likely didn’t really impact anything. There hasn’t been a negative resolution. And Brian only sold $10-15MM, not the $150MM reported. 3- The UNH investor meeting info is public. He likely walked from the Hilton to his hotel and back a few times, as he arrived Monday. Clearly the police will look at video from Monday & Tuesday to see if this shooter watched him, or even if someone else watched him.

[@isabellsiruo]

Thank you for this information! I didn’t know anything about this

[@mastoyshop]

For $10 million a year income you got expect somebody’s on the hit for you. I think it’s totally unethical for anyone to do a job and take $10 million a year while people under you were working probably from minimum wage and let’s not forget all the healthcare workers and thepeople who buy this insurance either through their Medicare or another agent

[@lmb4876]

Kinda true

[@Connie-E]

I thought the same thing. In our country there are so many people that are just overpaid for the job that they do. I would never need that much to live on I could have a great life with all I ever wanted for much less money. So many struggling and I wish money was more evenly distributed. Athletes and actors are others that are way overpaid. I like being in a free country, but I don't like that.

[@cj-jr7iz]

🎯

[@robinpesek3657]

If the CEO’s are not paid at a competitive rate the company’s will not attract top talent. Not many people can be a CEO. The hours are horrid, the stress unimaginable and there is little time for a family life. Not many people are wired and educated enough to even consider this position.

[@lmb4876]

@ The CEO of my “non-profit” hospital makes > $1,000,000/year plus bonuses…sorry, don’t think any hospital CEO is worth that. This guy was making waaay more than that….it’s GREED-pure and simple

[@evanduke8877]

My husband works for United Health. Everyone really shook up. Prayers to Brian’s family. 🙏

[@bolpol403]

The person was approved without knowledge or consent to United Health, it looks like someone is stealing money from insurance using a stolen identity. They are doing it by force, Report them they do not respond, Supposedly someone stated that the dep of justice is conducting an investigation agaist United Health

[@jthomas2728]

I am not condoning anything but it my father had died because he was denied coverage I would be so upset.

[@leannabedore]

This are speculations going around. I don't understand how these people can single out one man. It's the entire healthcare system. Prices have gone up, salary, procedure costs ect. There is a criteria to getting things done. Plus it's a free country people can get another insurance company if they aren't happy. Just blows my mind they are solely blaming him on how insurance operates.

[@fernandoscrenci4874]

Life Is Short!!! Hebrews 9:27!!! Think about it!!!!

[@melb2258]

Thank you Joel for covering this! Breaking news ! Horrific ! No matter how awful ppl think about healthcare, No one deserves to be executed in cold blood on our American streets!!!!!

[@DrewAnti1960]

Bullets were a pre existing condition. Stamped , claim denied. SMH. I’m telling ya. Someone’s family member died because of his insurance company policies and that was enough to trigger this guy doing what he did. He figured that this guy killed enough people so he became judge jury and executioner.

[@robinmoran6501]

I have United healthcare and I’ve been looking for the last three days for gynecologist in my area and none of my doctors take this crappy insurance so don’t have no compassion

[@skipperng5657]

He was murd3red. Lost his actual life. I know you must be frustrated, but there will be a provider in your area that takes uhc. It's the largest health insurer in the country.

[@JackieLeithe-u3r]

I’ve read a lot of comments on various websites and the saddest thing to be. Is that a lot of these snakes comment on his status and their deductibles. The sad thing here is that a man lost his life and two boys lost their father. Please address that.

[@rosiemercury111]

I think this is a COVID coverup. Why now? New administration. Watch!!!

[@SabinaBerhe]

I know people can be so cruel

[@u.synlig]

Just as he was, doubtlessly, overwhelmed with sadness each time that he stood up to give a presentation to investors, and reported that profits were "up" -- following an increase in decisions to deny coverage payouts. As the recipient/earner of an $11-million salary (plus bonuses?) in 2023, and as a man who surely recognized the wide-reaching effects of the organization under his control, why didn't he engage a service for personal protection?

[@m.h.8914]

You're surprised people are indifferent to this guy's death? How much consideration do you think his company gave to the 33% of claims they denied by their AI generated algorithm? Educate yourself.

[@kaymad143]

That is awful news! That poor family that got the call of their loved one. RIP Brian, and prayers for the family. Noone deserves to be shot down!

[@lisabrightly]

He will be caught. No doubt about it. Everybody and their mother has storefront cameras, Street cameras, subway cameras, highway cameras, etc in NYC. If he came from Philly, the footage will go all the way there.

[@isabellsiruo]

Thank you again for covering this case and thank you to the STS community for not writing horrific comments about the victim ❤ other channels that cover the case have been horrific

[@matthewnewton8812]

The fact that he was going to testify as a whistleblower changes the character and nature of the whole thing.

[@angiel186]

Him being a whistleblower is speculation. He could be testifying bc he was the CEO.

[@lauralesniak6635]

Thank you joel !! So sad prayers for his family !!

[@vg6790]

Rest easy, this is so sad

[@MissMac-]

I bet he dumps the backpack. Picks up another one pre stashed. This is a man who has nothing to lose. That makes him very dangerous. He planned. That poor man's family. How terrible.

[@Daisy-p4w]

It looks like a woman

[@tessa4668]

Had to have run the crime and timed it out before. Lots of previous days camera footage to go through

[@TheHolliHolland]

Manny has the best accent

[@joemcelyea7226]

It is not easy to get silencers. Can take over a year to get the clearance to get one where they are legal. They are all registered too unless it was handmade, which if so, this was a professional, but like these guys say, he would know his gun inside and out if he was. The silencer with subsonic ammo could be why it jammed. I bet this guy is military trained at least, he was so calm. If out of anger and some regular old guy, he would have been sort of freaking out.

[@crimenurse8264]

He appears to be rather young. In his 20’s

[@PhyllisBurris]

Need to thank NYC Mayor Adam's for increase in crime.

[@bernicerivera7729]

This just shows u how grimy are healthcare system is

[@soupnfresh]

Maybe he had a gambling debt. You never know.

[@ThePower2change]

RIP Brian!! Someone definitely told the gunman that BT left the hotel and that's why he was loitering in wait in early hours. Professional rivalry? Personal greed? Someone's estranged spouse? The possibilities are endless. Somehow, a denied health claim doesn't satisfy. If that was the case, the gunman would have gone after the adjudicator, I think.

[@pbc78-p7u]

Those forbidden Healthcare by United have no idea what an adjudication is. All he knows is that his loved one is unalive because denied permission of procedures and/or medicines necessary for a different outcome. Consider THAT.😢

[@gillypiexo]

Yeah the target/victim being the CEO, it's very unlikely to be someone denied healthcare. Especially since that happens everyday all day.

[@Jamie-w2r]

Very creepy to watch on real time, watching from Montreal quebec canada they said on news ge had cream jacket and black gloves i see black jacket and barehanded

[@_Nat_A_]

Please discuss the two kindergarten students who are in "extremely critical condition" and a suspect is dead after a shooting at a school in the Northern California community of Palermo on Wednesday, Dec 4. School shootings do not get the coverage that is needed to stop them.

[@anna12144]

Runkle of the Bailey says not a professional hit

[@anna12144]

@ he didn’t say not targeted he said the guy was not a professional hit man Runkle is a firearm expert.

[@francismoritz1132]

Who is always the first suspect in these types of cases?

[@hlowrylong]

Wife, always 1st. I hope not.

[@Daisy-p4w]

@@hlowrylongI thought about that too. Hummm

[@matthewnewton8812]

You can’t “see” if someone is counting cards by watching them on video. You count cards in your head- it doesn’t affect anything you do with the cards or your body, except determine when and how much you’re going to bet.

[@lorio.1880]

The technology definitely exists.

[@DrewAnti1960]

Very interesting thread

[@Aerial_Adia_Rayne]

This is terrible. This man needed bodygaurds because of the controversey over health care.

[@piperofsimms]

I heard that it might have something to do with insider trading.

[@ellenhogue8563]

No way all night…way too cold in nyc now.

[@MaidenBklyn]

If he took Citibike, he would have to have an account, hence traceable.

[@robinmoran6501]

I have never used these bikes . Do you think he used a fake name to rent the bike ..? I’ve seen the little square we have to download it on your phone and pay by phone so is that information with the Phone subscriber added to that I have never rented one of these bikes and I was always curious on how it works

[@sandiegojan1885]

Please. DOJ investigation. Insider trading. Gotta keep him quiet. Some Board members dumping stock.

[@marshaeat8]

Have you listened to the wife, Paulette come out with her media statement? Less than 24 hrs of her husbands brutal killing, she is giving a very put together statement. Has already offered up prior threats due to denial of insurance coverage? Then why is he walking alone in NY City? How does this person know that the CEO has stepped out of his building for all of 5 whole mts? Something is amiss i fear.🤔

[@debivanmarter]

If youre rich the cops and fbi go all out to find a suspect. I should know as my son was un alived and nothing from cops.

[@patriotiac572]

I'm very sorry for your tremendous loss.

[@u.synlig]

In the arena of capitalism, the super-wealthy (not just "rich") are worth more -- not only in terms of their personal financial status, but in that they fuel the system's motion. (That is why the U.S. has now -- generally -- accepted that even their government is controlled by the super-wealthy. Having the power of money (access to it, control of it, influence on its movement) defeats the collective power of the democratic process, and the plurality are now okay with that reality.) So, greater resources flow to them. They are accepted as the key organs of this society; when the body's function is jeopardized, the lowly toes (at the extremity of the body's functions) can be sacrificed.

[@TrainYourBrain-hx6cw]

Yunnan Paiyao

[@bernicerivera7729]

Sounds like someone close to him someone like a rival a fellow coworker imo

[@fernandoscrenci4874]

Another "Medical Banker"!!!

[@kalsterling719]

Something happened eve before at his hotel with staff member or morning of,did get someone in trouble,fired, this was impulsive

[@kawehionalani]

Word on the street was he did some insider trading where he made hundreds of millions and others lost hundreds of millions 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@totljag1]

he was being investigated buy the dep. of justice for insider trading

[@PhyllisBurris]

His wife or policy holder probably had targeted him.

[@Enjoywatchingyoutube8227]

He probably did it knowing that the Tree light ceremony was in the evening and he could change and blend into the crowd to leave the city. More then likely had a hotel room in a bordering state that he would go to when he escaped into the crowd and crossed the state lines. Don't think he was a paid to do it given the way he escaped which if a description was given out faster or knowing he took an Ebike. Odd no cops saw him or in the area and or security at the front desk

[@childtimematters513]

Look at that jacket and backpack. Does the hood have a logo like Champion or ? What is the significance of the shape in the top of the hood, top of head? Sports stores, kind of military color, very neat, not a normal back pack. He didn’t want to be heard shooting. Thus, the silencer. He had been watching the CEO cross the street probably for 2 or 3 days. A pattern. Look at the hands. Coward shooting from behind. Dig into testimony. Maybe he was hired.

[@u.synlig]

Has the "Eat the rich"-buffet started? Given the frequency of occurrence of 'copycats', things could get dicey.

[@pearlpicker2174]

Its the govt.

[@MrBeast-1]

This guy looks 100% ex-military to me. He might not be a pro but he knew what he was going. I doubt that phone is his or is a burner phone bought with cash and has the app for the bike and paid for via a visa gift card.

[@LisaMarieLove1]

Rest in Peace Brian. Im praying for Brian’s family. This is truly devastating.

[@awesomestwilson]

rare gun with built in suppressor

[@caroleburger3179]

That’s a woman

[@idk44283]

Will they look at the wife?

[@goldseekersadventures9380]

Did he buy anything at Starbucks? Maybe he used a debit card or a Visa card with his name on it

[@debivanmarter]

Looks like a woman in the little bit you've shown.

[@Daisy-p4w]

Looks like a woman

[@sunix5496]

in the close up, the hands sort of look feminine

[@JuttaBerlin]

plotted by the wife I think

[@butterflylady8875]

G I wonder if it would have anything to do with the fact the shooter lost family members due to getting the shots and decided to take matters into his own hands

[@HarrietFox-p8h]

Pathetic remark. 🤮

[@Respectearnednotgiven]

The shooter may be under 25 years old his mother died shortly after her insurance refused coverage for experimental treatment if I am correct then someone gift me a subscription 😬

[@hungirl69cz23]

No , the killer was hired by someone close to the victim

[@glitter7777]

@@hungirl69cz23I agree. I don’t see it even being connected to his job. Most like personal. His wife’s boyfriend or girlfriend’s husband. Someone who stood something to gain, motive and opportunity. Who knew he was gonna be there at that time walking out. It’s someone close even if it is professional association. I doubt it’s a disgruntled UHC insurance client.

[@jackiebinns6205]

Blah blah blah , what is the point of this conversation ? Nothing at all what a waste of time ans breath ugh 😮

[@SierraOneConsulting]

Then it’s easy, don’t watch.

[@Momma_n_em]

Someone’s husband, father, and son was murdered in cold blood on a NYC street.

[@pbc78-p7u]

Oh my. White on white crime? Unheard of. Prayers and condolences 😢

[@graygoose6464]

Unheard of??? Are you kidding me????

[@martinahoffman8005]

White on white crime. Do you ever watch news.

[@santafilipina9020]

It’s not uncommon. Go to the fbi website and educate yourself.

[@Bieshmac]

Turning it into race.🙄