An executive at a major US healthcare company has been shot dead in New York in what was reportedly a targeted attack.

Brian Thompson, 50, was fatally shot in the chest at 6.46am local time on Wednesday outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan. He had been the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare since April 2021.

He was taken to a nearby hospital but could not be saved.

Mayor of New York, Eric Adams, said it appears the shooting was “a targeted murder”.

Mr Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, said that he had been receiving threats.

“There had been some threats,” she said in a phone call to Sky’s US partner network, NBC News. “Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.”

“I can’t really give a thoughtful response right now. I just found this out and I’m trying to console my children,” she added.

The suspect was described as using a firearm with a silencer, CNBC reported, citing a person familiar with the incident.

They added the suspect was a white man wearing a black hoodie, black trousers, black trainers with a white trim and a grey rucksack.

UnitedHealthcare is the insurance arm of the health care giant UnitedHealth Group.

UnitedHealth did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Image:
Police officers stand near the scene where the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare Brian Thompson was shot and killed in Midtown Manhattan. Pic: Reuters

Police officers stand near the scene where the CEO of United Healthcare Brian Thompson was reportedly shot and killed in Midtown Manhattan. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Pic: Reuters

The company cancelled the remainder of its annual meeting with investors in New York City where it was updating Wall Street on its direction and expectations for the coming year.

It is understood Mr Thompson was due to speak at the conference.

“We’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members, and as a result, I’m afraid we’re going to have to bring to a close the event today,” UnitedHealth’s chief executive Sir Andrew Witty said.

Police officers work near the scene where the CEO of United Healthcare Brian Thompson was reportedly shot and killed. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Pic: Reuters

Sir Andrew is the former boss of GlaxoSmithKline in the UK.

There have been no arrests, and the investigation is active and ongoing.

Mr Thompson joined the UnitedHealth Group in 2004.

The scene after Brian Thompson was fatally shot in New York. Pic: AP
Image:
The scene after Brian Thompson was fatally shot in New York. Pic: AP

He previously served as chief executive of UnitedHealthcare government programmes.

UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the US and also manages health insurance coverage for employers, and state- and federally funded Medicaid programmes.

The scene of the shooting is a short walk from tourist sites such as the Museum of Modern Art and Rockefeller Centre.

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