UnitedHealthcare CEO fatally shot in NYC: Sources

MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WPIX) – The CEO of UnitedHealthcare was killed in a shooting in NYC on Wednesday morning, sources have confirmed to Nexstar's WPIX. 

Brian Thompson, 50, was shot in the chest just before 7 a.m. near a hotel on 54th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, sources said. Video posted to Citizen showed police tape on the Midtown street as police arrived at the scene.

Thompson was rushed to an area hospital and later died. The shooting is being investigated as a possible targeted hit, sources said.

Thompson became CEO of UnitedHealthcare in 2021 after joining UnitedHealth Group in 2004. Before being named CEO, he led government programs for UnitedHealthcare, including Medicare.

He previously worked at PwC.

UnitedHealth Group started its annual Investor Conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, which was scheduled to run until 11 a.m. UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty ended the conference early around 9:09 a.m.

“We’re dealing with a very serious… situation,” he said. “We’re going to have to bring to a close the event today… I apologize for bringing things to a close but I hope you’ll understand.”

No arrests have been made. An investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

This is a developing story.