Mayor Adams says 'net is tightening' on UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect

(The Hill) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the "net is tightening" on the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect as the manhunt for the executive's assassin entered its fourth day.

“The net is tightening,” Adams told reporters on Saturday, according to WNBC’s video. “We're going to bring this person to justice. I don't want to do anything that's going to impede on that investigation.” 

When asked by a reporter if police had the suspect's name, Adams said, "We don't want to release that now. If you do, you're basically giving a tip to the person we are fine with seeking, and we do not want to give him an upper hand at all. Let him continue to believe he can hide behind a mask." 

When reached for comment by The Hill, a New York Police Department (NYPD) spokesperson said, "We don't have an ID that we are confirming."

Adams' remarks come as the search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson continues. The FBI announced late Friday that it has joined the NYPD in the search for the suspect who assassinated Thompson Wednesday morning in Manhattan right before the healthcare executive was set to address investors. The FBI is offering $50,000 for information leading to the shooter's arrest and conviction. 

Adams said the shooting was an "intentional act" based on the preliminary investigation. Law enforcement officials have released the photos of the suspect. They have been collecting and testing DNA evidence near the scene, including a protein bar wrapper and a discarded water bottle. A cellphone and fake ID have been discovered, which authorities believe was owned by the shooter. 

The suspect has likely fled New York City on a bus, according to law enforcement officials. 

“We have video of him entering the Port Authority bus terminal. We don’t have any video of him exiting, so we believe he may have gotten on a bus,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said earlier. 

The suspect’s path to Hilton Hotel Midtown, a spot where the assassination took place, is also being analyzed. The bullet shells found at the scene had the words  “deny,” “defend” and “depose” written on them. 

“It's a horrific incident in our city, and we want to make sure this person is removed off the streets of America, not only off the streets of New York,” Adams said on Saturday.