Newly released photos appear to show the hitman who fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson casually seated at a Starbucks shortly before the tragedy. These images have intensified public scrutiny as investigators work to unravel the motives and identity of the assailant.
According to the report, the surveillance images show the suspect sipping coffee at a Starbucks near the New York Hilton Midtown, where Thompson was later attacked. The man, described as wearing a black hoodie and carrying a gray backpack, matches the description provided by witnesses and earlier video footage of the tragic event.
“The suspect appears calm and unhurried in the photos, even as he sits just blocks away from the crime scene. Law enforcement sources confirmed that this was less than an hour before Thompson was killed.”
(New York Post)
The Killer’s Pre-Murder Movements
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
Bloomberg provided additional details about the ongoing investigation, emphasizing the suspect’s calculated actions in the lead-up to the killing. The report describes the man as “methodical and deliberate,” raising questions about whether this was a professional hit.
“Sources familiar with the investigation suggest the suspect scouted the area extensively before carrying out the attack. This included visits to nearby locations, likely to map out escape routes.”
(Bloomberg)
Authorities believe the killer used an electric Citi Bike to flee the scene, weaving through Central Park to evade capture. These movements, coupled with the newly released images, paint a picture of someone who meticulously planned every step of the attack.
The Tragic Incident
Brian Thompson, 50, was fatally shot outside the New York Hilton Midtown on December 3, 2024, while attending an Investor Day conference. The suspect approached Thompson on the sidewalk and fired multiple rounds at close range before escaping. The entire incident was caught on a chilling video.
A detailed report by PoliNews described the moment in harrowing detail:
“The video shows Thompson stumbling after the first shots, clutching his side in pain as the gunman closes in. Despite his efforts to flee, Thompson collapses on the sidewalk, where the suspect continues firing.”
(PoliNews)
In another PoliNews report, former NYPD detective Marcus Harlan issued a chilling warning about the suspect, calling him “extremely dangerous and highly skilled.”
“This wasn’t some random act of violence. The level of precision and the suspect’s calm demeanor suggest this individual has carried out similar acts before.”
(PoliNews)
Public Reaction and Growing Outrage
To be honest – while fascinated by the public, professional nature of the hit … there’s not a lot of sympathy for the CEO who made decisions that led to people paying inflated medical bills and negligence that could lead to death. People’s personal experience with companies like United Healthcare leave very little room for sympathy.
While Brian Thompson was CEO of United Health Care, the company began using an AI to automate the denial of services. The AI was found to have a 90% error rate, but the company continued to use it, resulting in people being denied medically-necessary and fully-covered treatments. pic.twitter.com/msth5E56xZ
— Socialist Party of America 🚩 (@socpartyamerica) December 4, 2024
People hate insurance companies because insurance companies don’t care about people and they hide behind long, complicated legalese. They build processes and systems to fuck over the little guy. And what they can’t resolve by fucking you with contracts and legal terms – they resolve by buying off politicians with PAC money.
In the news over the past few days – here’s a perfect example of the kind of fucked up bullshit that insurance companies do … and well – it’s enough to want to k… I’ll let you finish that sentence.
From a local Fox News affiliate HERE:
Doctors won’t be waking patients up to ask them permission to continue medically necessary anesthesia, but that means when they do wake up, they may be whacked with an unexpected out-of-pocket expense.
“There are circumstances where they won’t pay for any of the anesthesia even up to the point of where they say it’s justified. It’s just absurd,” said Stone.
FOX61 met Stone at St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury. He’s the calming last face a patient sees before they fall asleep. He points out that the stress and nerves surrounding surgery don’t need to be compounded by a crippling financial uncertainty.
In short – in order to save money … the insurance company will pass on the expense to the patient if the anesthesia they receive requires more than the insurance company says they should get. Fuck em, burn it all down is my gut reaction to that.
What Comes Next?
As the NYPD continues its manhunt, the release of these images is a critical development in the case. The photos offer a clearer glimpse of the suspect and his pre-tragedy behavior, which could provide valuable clues for law enforcement.
UnitedHealthcare has expressed condolences for Thompson’s family and reiterated its commitment to cooperating with investigators. However, the company has yet to address growing public scrutiny over its policies, which many critics argue prioritize profits over patient care.
This story remains developing, and updates will follow as new information emerges.
Featured image via public domain
