Smirking assassin 'arrived in New York by bus' weeks before healthcare CEO's killing - as NYPD manhunt continues
6 December 2024, 13:17 | Updated: 6 December 2024, 13:21
The suspect wanted for the targeted murder of a health insurance boss in New York arrived in the city by bus weeks before the shooting.
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The suspect, who has been pictured smirking in newly-released images, reportedly arrived at the Port Authority bus terminal in Manhattan on an interstate Greyhound bus on November 24.
According to three separate police sources, the bus departed from Atlanta, Georgia, although it wasn't clear at which point the suspect got on the bus.
The gunman checked into the HI New York City Hostel on the Upper West Side on November 29.
He is believed to have checked out of the youth hostel for one night before coming back in an Uber, rebooking a room using a fake New Jersey ID, sources told The New York Post.
The suspect set out for the Hilton Hotel in Midtown a few days later - the location where UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed on Wednesday, December 4.
Investigators continue in their scramble to track down the gunman, as the NYPD released an image showing the suspect wearing a black mask, black and white trainers and a cream jacket.
Police have assessed security camera footage and tested a water bottle and protein bar wrapper in a bid to track down DNA evidence.
The force has also searched a hostel on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, where they believe the suspect may have been staying.
A $10,000 (£7,866) reward has been issued for information leading to his capture.
In new images released by the NYPD, the suspect can be seen smiling before the attack.
The attacker fled on foot and then on an e-bike towards Central Park, police said.
Footage has shown him slowly walking behind Mr Thompson, before shooting him several times in the back.
Detectives are said to have uncovered shell casings at the scene, inscribed with the words "deny", "defend" and "depose".
Police are now working to determine the meaning of the words and work out if they are linked to a motive, sources told ABC News.
Several shots were fired during the attack, with the gun briefly getting jammed before being cleared.
It comes after chilling CCTV images released by the NYPD showed the suspected killer in Starbucks minutes before the targeted attack.
Mr Thompson was shot outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, where he was due to speak at a conference later in the day.
A spokesperson for Hilton said they were "deeply saddened by this morning's events in the area and our thoughts are with all affected by the tragedy".
An announcement was made to attendees that the event was being ended early.
New York Mayor Eric Adams, a retired NYPD captain, told MSNBC's Morning Joe programme that what had "shocked" him was that the shooter used a silencer, a thing he had never come across "in all of my years in law enforcement".
Mr Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the largest provider of Medicare health insurance plans in the country.
United Health Group said: "We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
"Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. 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."
