CEO of UnitedHealthcare Killed

Scarlett Shin '27

On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was killed outside of the New York Hilton in Midtown Manhattan. After attending an investor conference, he was shot to death by the assailant. 

Thompson was named CEO in April 2021. As CEO, he aimed to expand the company's global, employer, individual, and government partnerships and long-term growth. In his twenty years at UnitedHealthcare, he held many other positions. He was also a father to two sons and husband to Paulette Thompson. 

The cameras on West 54th Street show the suspect waiting for Thompson across the street from the hotel at 6:44 am. A manhunt was underway for 5 days until Luigi Mangione, the suspected shooter, was charged on December 9th. 

The 26-year-old faces five charges. New York prosecutors have charged him with the second-degree murder of Brian Thompson, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, one count of third-degree criminal possession of a firearm, and one count of second-degree possession of a forged document.

Overwhelming evidence was released by the police that placed Mangione at the crime scene. The gun found on the suspect matched the 3D-printed shell casings, and his prints positively matched those found at the crime scene. 

The DA has begun presenting evidence to a grand jury while more developments are being made.