Shell casings bearing the mysterious inscriptions “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” were reportedly discovered by detectives conducting an investigation into the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Wednesday.
Thompson, 50, was fatally shot from behind by an individual who was wearing a black hoodie and balaclava as he approached the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan early Wednesday morning.
According to authorities, the shooting appeared to be a brazen targeted attack, and the suspect is still at large.
He fled the scene on foot before boarding a bicycle and entering Central Park. According to NYPD detectives, they are seeking to ascertain whether the words inscribed on the cartridge casings suggest a potential motive for the shooting.
These are additional images of the suspect sought in connection to this morning’s homicide. If you have any information about this incident, the suspect, or his location please contact @NYPDTips at 1(800)577-TIPS. https://t.co/rtfVynljXa pic.twitter.com/kUJr7l0nxZ
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 4, 2024
The suspect was photographed by the NYPD on Wednesday afternoon ordering at a Starbucks located two blocks from the Hilton hotel, just prior to the incident.
The suspect’s snout and eyes are the only visible features in the photographs, as he is wearing a black hood and mask.
Thompson’s spouse disclosed to NBC News that her husband had received numerous suicide threats; however, she was uncertain about the specifics of these threats.
A law enforcement official verified to The New York Times that Thompson had received numerous threats prior to his death. Thompson’s spouse speculated that the threats may have been associated with a “lack of coverage.”
Critics have accused UnitedHealthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, one of the world’s largest corporations, of denying patients’ claims.
The families of two deceased former beneficiaries filed a lawsuit against UnitedHealth last year, alleging that the company employed artificial intelligence to deny extended care coverage that physicians had prescribed.
The Department of Justice was also investigating Thompson and other executives of UnitedHealth Group at the time of his murder.
Just two weeks prior to the public becoming aware of a federal antitrust investigation, Thompson sold shares valued at $15.1 million on February 16, 2019.
According to reports, the Department of Justice was examining whether UnitedHealth Group had violated antitrust laws by acquiring companies that consolidated its market position.
Thompson sold his shares for the first time this year since assuming control of the organization in 2021.
The gunman, who arrived outside the Hilton hotel between five and ten minutes before Thompson, appeared to be anticipating the UnitedHealthcare CEO before opening fire, according to authorities.
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