Police release new photos of UnitedHealthcare CEO’s alleged killer as desperate search continues
Joe Yates
Featured Image Credit: DCPI/Twitter/@NYPDnews
Footage has been released tracking the movements of Brian Thompson's alleged killer shortly after he was gunned down in the street.
The UnitedHealthcare CEO was shot outside of the Hilton Hotel on Wednesday (December 4) at 6.46am in Manhattan, New York City, as he walked to an insurance conference hosted by the company - which was later cancelled following the murder.
The assassination of the father-of-two was caught on CCTV footage. Three shots were fired at the 50-year-old, hitting him on the back and right calf, while the bullets and casings had the words 'deny', 'depose' and 'defend' inscribed on them.
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According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), the gunman appeared to have been 'lying in wait' for the 50-year-old before unloading several bullets into him from behind, arguing that this attack 'does not appear to be a random act of violence'.
He was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in a critical condition but was later pronounced dead upon arrival.
The suspect then fled on foot down a nearby alleyway before returning to 6th Avenue, where the shooting took place, a little further up the street when he hopped on an electric bike and cycled into Central Park.
On Friday (December 6), detectives found a grey backpack hidden among the bushes in Central Park, which is believed to have belonged to the killer - who is still at large.
The bag, which appears to match the bag being worn by the gunman in CCTV footage before the shooting, contained Monopoly money as well as a jacket, according to New York Post sources.
Former Washington DC homicide detective Ted Williams said the Monopoly money will have been intentionally planted in the bag to 'play games with the authorities' as part of a 'cat and mouse game.'
He said: "This killer knew they would more likely than not find the backpack, and he is leaving breadcrumbs to let the authorities know that he is in control, not them."
Now, new photos have been released that depict the killer's movements following the murder.
Police have now confirmed that the gunman did take a taxi out of the Central Park area - while one of the new photos shows the killer looking into a camera in a cab as he looks through the divider window to talk to the driver.
However, cops cannot confirm whether the footage was from a cab ride immediately after the coldblooded murder of Thompson.
Another newly released photo shows him strolling down the street wearing a black puffer jacket and a face mask.
Meanwhile, more information has now come out regarding the alleged murder weapon, which is believed to be a veterinarian gun typically used to put down farm animals.
It requires a reload after every single shot - which is what can be seen in the video of the murder.