Who was Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO fatally shot outside NYC hotel in targeted attack?
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson — who was fatally shot outside a New York City hotel in a targeted hit — was a father of two hailed as a “stand-up guy” by those who knew him.
Thompson, 50, was set to speak at an Investors’ Day conference at the Hilton Hotel in Midtown on Wednesday morning when he was gunned down by a masked shooter in what police described as a “premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack.â€?/p>
He had arrived in the Big Apple on Monday from Minnesota, where he lived in a five-bedroom home he purchased in 2018 for $1 million, records show.
He earned total compensation of just under $10 million in 2022, $2.84 million in Total Cash, $7 million in equity and $19,184 in Pension and other forms of compensation, according to the Economic Research Institute.
His net worth was approximately $43 million, according to Wallmine.
Top of his class
Thompson graduated valedictorian at the University of Iowa in 1997, where he earned his bachelor’s of business administration in accounting.
While studying at the university, Thompson was named the outstanding accounting junior and senior by the school and the Iowa Society of CPAs, according to his LinkedIn page.
More than 20 years in health care
After graduating college, Thompson worked at PwC, an auditing and accounting firm based in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
He then found his way to the UnitedHealth Group in 2004 as the company’s director of corporate development, with Thompson getting promoted until he was named CEO of the company’s government programs in 2019.
In 2021, he was named the head of UnitedHealthcare, the firm’s insurance division, with parent company CEO Andrew Witty praising his work.
“Brian’s experience, relationships and values make him especially well-suited to help UnitedHealthcare improve how healthcare works for consumers, physicians, employers, governments and our other partners, leading to continued and sustained long-term growth,�Witty said at the time.
News of his killing sparked an outpouring of tributes from his former colleagues, who knew him simply as “BT.�/p>
Betuchy Galeano, a Florida-based UnitedHealth employee, said the top executive was “a truly remarkable person�who was “so humble, kind, cheerful, and full of life.�/p>
“He had a way of making everyone feel valued, and his positivity was contagious,�Galeano wrote on her Facebook page.
“This is a profoundly sad moment for me and for everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. RIP my friend, you will be missed.�/p>
Medical coder Victoria Claire of Pulaski, Wisconsin, said that “a bright light was extinguished today�with Thompson’s death.
“BT was always fighting for the employees and members, making sure everyone understood the importance of compassion and appreciation,�she wrote. “Rest peacefully, BT, you will be missed.�/p>
Co-worker Kelly Kamish, a UnitedHealth project manager, praised Thompson as “a great leader and even better man.�/p>
“My heart breaks for his family, friends, and colleagues,�she added. “We are lucky to have had an opportunity to know and work with him.�/p>
Antonio Toft, a vice president for HR and diversity at UnitedHealthcare, that Thompson was not only a remarkable leader but also “a cherished friend and mentor to many of us.�/p>
“This devastating news has sent shockwaves through my body and undoubtedly through the entire community, leaving us with so many unanswered questions,�Toft wrote in a post on the networking website.
UnitedHealth Group also issued in the wake of Thompson’s death.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.�/p>
A family man
Thompson was married to Paulette “Pauley” Thompson, 51, a fellow University of Iowa graduate who serves as a physical therapist at the Park Nicollet Health Services clinic in Minneapolis.
The couple has two sons, one a recent graduate and the other still in high school, according to the .
Brandon Carlson, who coached the elder son, told the outlet that his parents were actively involved, and “were present around all of the team events.�/p>
Pauley touted her idyllic life with their sons in her work biography, writing, “I love spending time with my two boys and taking them to all of their activities.
“I also love boating, spending time with family and friends, playing piano, biking, and traveling.”
The grieving widow said she was heartbroken over the attack, which police told her was clearly “planned,” .
“I can’t really give a thoughtful response right now. I just found this out and I’m trying to console my children,” she told the outlet.
In a statement to FOX 9, Paulette Thompson said: “We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian. Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives.
“Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed. We appreciate your well wishes and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time.”
Thompson’s sister, Elena Reveiz, described her slain brother to The as a “good person.�/p>
Shot on his way to a conference
Thompson was on his way to speak at the Investors Day conference where police say the suspect was lying in wait around 6:46 a.m..
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The suspect fired multiple times at Thompson, striking the CEO in the back and right calf and then walking toward him and continuing to shoot.
The shooter then ran off, before hopping onto an electric Citi Bike, last seen entering Central Park.
One investor who was at the Hilton described the chaos at the now-canceled conference, noting that attendees were seen crying and leaving the room.
“[He was] a stand-up guy, a good dude,”. “I’ve never met anyone who had anything bad to say about him.â€?/p>
Prior to the shooting, Pauley said her husband had been receiving threats involving his job, which oversees the largest private insurance company in the nation.
“There had been some threats,” she told 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.”
On the hunt for the killer
Police said the investigation was ongoing as officers searched for the gunman, who was last seen around Central Park on Center Drive.
NYPD Crime Stoppers has put out a $10,000 reward for information regarding Thompson’s murder.
Police have yet to state a motive, but NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the shooting “does not appear to be a random act of violence.”
“Every indication show that this is a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack,�she told reporters.
