By MICHAEL BALSAMO, JAKE OFFENHARTZ and MICHAEL R. SISAK
NEW YORK — Because the investigation right into a masked gunman who stalked and killed the top of one of many largest U.S. well being insurers moved into its third day Friday, potential leads emerged about his journey earlier than the taking pictures and a message scrawled on ammunition discovered on the crime scene.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed in a daybreak ambush Wednesday as he walked from his midtown resort to the corporate’s annual investor convention throughout the road, blocks from vacationer attracts reminiscent of Radio Metropolis Music Corridor and Rockefeller Heart.
However days later, the gunman was nonetheless at giant and the explanation for the killing remained unknown, with New York Metropolis police saying proof firmly factors to it being a focused assault.
Investigators labored to piece collectively extra of the timeline of the gunman’s whereabouts earlier than the taking pictures, look at safety digicam footage and even check a discarded water bottle and protein bar wrapper in a hunt for his DNA.
The phrases “deny,” “defend” and “depose” had been discovered emblazoned on the ammunition, echoing a phrase utilized by insurance coverage trade critics, two legislation enforcement officers stated Thursday, chatting with The Related Press on the situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to publicly talk about particulars of the investigation.
The messages mimic the phrase “delay, deny, defend,” which is usually utilized by attorneys and insurance coverage trade critics to explain techniques used to keep away from paying claims. It refers to insurers delaying cost, denying a declare after which defending their actions. Well being insurers like UnitedHealthcare have grow to be frequent targets of criticism from medical doctors and sufferers for denying claims or complicating entry to care.
Investigators additionally now consider the suspect could have traveled to New York final month on a bus that originated in Atlanta, one of many legislation enforcement officers stated.
Police and federal brokers have been gathering info from Greyhound in an try to determine the suspect and are working to find out whether or not he bought the ticket to New York in late November, the official stated.
Investigators had been additionally attempting to acquire further info from a cellphone recovered from a pedestrian plaza via which the shooter fled.
A tip that the shooter could have stayed at a hostel introduced police Thursday morning to not less than two such institutions on Manhattan’s Higher West Facet, in accordance with one of many legislation enforcement officers briefed on the investigation. The pictures made public Thursday had been taken within the foyer of the HI New York Metropolis hostel.
“We are fully cooperating with the NYPD and, as this is an active investigation, can not comment at this time,” hostel spokesperson Danielle Brumfitt stated in an emailed assertion.
Police launched new pictures Thursday of an individual wished for questioning in reference to Thompson’s killing.
The pictures, displaying an unmasked man smiling within the foyer of a Manhattan hostel, add to a group of pictures and video which have circulated because the taking pictures — together with footage of the assault itself, in addition to nonetheless frames of the suspected gunman stopping at a Starbucks beforehand.
Investigators consider the suspect used a faux New Jersey identification card when he checked in on the hostel, stated one of many officers who spoke with the AP.
Workers who work on the hostel informed investigators they remembered a person who virtually at all times wore a masks when interacting with them or passing by the entrance desk. That individual wore a jacket that regarded just like the one worn by the person pictured in surveillance photos launched after the taking pictures, the official stated.
After the taking pictures, police stated the gunman fled on a bicycle and was final seen using into Central Park.
Based mostly on surveillance video and proof from the scene, investigators consider the shooter had not less than some firearms coaching and expertise with weapons and that the weapon was outfitted with a silencer, one of many legislation enforcement officers informed the AP.
Investigators had been additionally trying into whether or not the suspect had pre-positioned a motorcycle as a part of an escape plan, the official stated.
Safety video exhibits the killer approaching Thompson from behind, leveling his pistol and firing a number of pictures, barely pausing to clear a gun jam whereas the manager tumbled to the sidewalk. Cameras confirmed him fleeing the block throughout a pedestrian plaza earlier than getting on the bicycle.
Police launched a number of photos of the person sporting a hooded jacket and a masks that hid most of his face — a glance that will not have attracted consideration on a cold morning.
Thompson, a father of two sons who lived in a Minneapolis suburb, had been with Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and served as CEO for greater than three years.
His spouse, Paulette, informed NBC Information on Wednesday that he informed her “there were some people that had been threatening him.” She didn’t have particulars however advised the threats could have concerned points with insurance coverage protection.
The insurer’s dad or mum firm, UnitedHealth Group Inc., was holding its annual assembly in New York to replace buyers on its route and expectations for the approaching yr. The corporate ended the convention after Thompson’s demise.
UnitedHealthcare gives protection for greater than 49 million Individuals and introduced in additional than $281 billion in income final yr. It’s the largest supplier of Medicare Benefit plans within the U.S. and manages medical insurance protection for employers and state and federally funded Medicaid applications.
In October, UnitedHealthcare was named together with Humana and CVS in a Senate report detailing how its denial price for prior authorizations for some Medicare Benefit sufferers has surged in recent times.
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Balsamo reported from Washington.
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