Brian Thomspon: Hunt for masked gunman after UnitedHealthcare CEO shot dead in targeted attack

The New York Police Department (NYPD) said the gunman was past seen riding towards Manhattan's Central Park connected an e-scooter, and has offered a $10,000 reward for information

Police are hunting a masked shooter who gunned down United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was killed successful an onslaught extracurricular a New York hotel.

Mr Thompson, 50, was fatally changeable successful the limb and backmost successful Midtown Manhattan earlier contiguous astatine astir 7am section clip (12pm GMT) pursuing what constabulary person branded a "brazen, targeted attack" extracurricular the Hilton hotel. The CEO had been owed to talk astatine an capitalist league aboriginal today.

But helium was pronounced dormant successful infirmary conscionable 12 minutes aft the attack, and a fishy who fled the country remains astatine large, with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) present urgently seeking the perpetrator. Within hours of the killing, constabulary released harrowing CCTV images of the infinitesimal the gunman fired astatine Thompson.

Another representation showed him past fleeing connected a bike. Police issued a $10,000 (£7,870) reward for accusation starring to the killer's capture. Witnesses said the suspected gunman was seen waiting extracurricular the edifice dressed successful a hooded jumper earlier the shooting. They claimed the slayer appeared to cognize which doorway Thompson was going to look from earlier shooting him astatine point-blank range.

The fishy was wearing a achromatic look disguise and cream-coloured overgarment astatine the clip of the attack, with constabulary saying helium walk astir 5 minutes waiting for Mr Thompson to look from the hotel. The NYPD said it appeared that helium had been staying astatine the adjacent Marriott edifice earlier carrying retired the shooting.

Jessica Tisch, the New York City Police Commissioner, told journalists attending a quality league that determination was "every denotation is that this was a premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack". He was past seen heading towards Central Park riding connected an e-bike. Police are yet to reason a imaginable motive for the shooter, and said that thing was taken from Mr Thompson's person.

New Yorkers person not been advised to enactment distant from Central Park oregon instrumentality immoderate peculiar precautions, but constabulary person called connected radical to stay alert arsenic the manhunt continues. Officer soil investigators are utilizing dogs and drones to hunt for the suspect, with a "massive constabulary presence" posted astatine Rockefeller Centre and further officers posted connected the subway.

United Healthcare representatives and nationalist officials person issued tributes for the precocious Mr Thompson, with representatives of his steadfast remembering him arsenic a "highly respected workfellow and person to each who worked with him". The connection added: "We are moving intimately with the New York Police Department and inquire for your patience and knowing during this hard time."

Tim Walz, the Democratic campaigner for Vice President and Governor of Minnesota, wherever United Health is based, said: "This is horrifying quality and a unspeakable nonaccomplishment for the concern and wellness attraction assemblage successful Minnesota. Minnesota is sending our prayers to Brian’s household and the UnitedHealthcare team."

And Kathy Hochul, the Governor of New York State, said: "Our hearts are with the household and loved ones of Mr Thompson and we are committed to ensuring the perpetrator is brought to justice."