Two law enforcement officials have revealed that the ammunition used in the murder of Brian Thompson, CEO of a major U.S. health insurer, was marked with the words ‘deny,’ ‘defend,’ and ‘depose.’ This phraseology is often associated with criticism of insurance industry tactics and may provide insight into the killer’s motive. The investigation continues to focus on the suspect’s activities prior to the shooting, with police examining footage from several security cameras in the area.
Thompson was killed on a Manhattan sidewalk as he headed to his company’s annual investor conference, located just blocks away from famous landmarks such as Radio City Music Hall. The attack, believed to be a targeted ambush, has police testing items left at the scene, such as a discarded water bottle and protein bar wrapper, in hopes of finding the suspect’s DNA.
Investigators suspect the assailant may have traveled from Atlanta to New York last month, possibly by bus, prompting inquiries into Greyhound records. Further efforts include tracing phone data from a cell phone found near the crime scene to determine its association with the suspect. The emergence of these clues has brought the probe to several hostels on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, where the suspect might have stayed.
Images released by the New York Police Department show a man wanted for questioning, captured smiling in the lobby of a local hostel. Witnesses at the hostel recall a man who habitually wore a mask, resembling the suspect seen in footage from the day of the crime. This man reportedly used a fake New Jersey ID during his stay, adding another layer to the suspect’s elusive profile.
Surveillance footage revealed a chilling sequence of the suspect approaching Thompson from behind, firing several shots with a gun possibly equipped with a silencer, and quickly fleeing on a bicycle. This escape suggests some level of premeditation, with investigators considering whether the bike was strategically placed for a fast getaway.
Thompson’s sudden death has shocked the corporate world. As a well-respected leader, he had drawn criticism from some for his company’s handling of insurance claims—a potential motivation for his murder, as indicated by messages on the ammunition.
Meanwhile, New York City police continue to pursue leads, despite the suspect’s current evasiveness. Advanced forensic techniques are being leveraged to analyze physical evidence, aiming to build a concise picture of the suspect’s identity and motives.
As the search for the suspect in Brian Thompson’s death intensifies, law enforcement agencies remain committed to solving the case. While substantial leads have emerged, the killer’s ultimate goal and full identity remain shrouded in mystery, leaving a city on edge and a community mourning a respected leader.
Source: Apnews
