Twin Cities shocked by killing of UHG's Brian Thompson
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Photo: Courtesy of UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's Wednesday morning shooting death, which New York police say was a targeted attack, left the Twin Cities community in shock and searching for answers.
- Thompson was in charge of Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group's health insurance division, which effectively meant he led the nation's largest health insurer.
Catch up quick: A masked gunman using a silencer shot Thompson twice as he was walking into the Midtown Hilton around 6:45am ET for UHG's investor conference.
- The suspect fled on foot, hopped on an electric Citi Bike and rode into Central Park, NYPD chief of detectives Joseph Kenny said at a news conference. As of Wednesday night, police had not found the shooter.
UHG said in a statement that it was "deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague" and that the company was working closely with the NYPD.
Thompson's wife, Paulette, told NBC News that "there had been some threats. ... 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."
- Police in Maple Grove, where the executive lived, told Axios it had not received reports of threats against him. Minnetonka police told KARE 11 the same.
Thompson, 50, was named CEO of UHG's healthcare division in 2021. The University of Iowa graduate had been with the company for 20 years, according to his LinkedIn profile.
- He had two sons. One graduated from a local high school in the spring and the other is a sophomore there, according to the Star Tribune.
- Thompson was the honorary co-chair of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, which will be held in the Twin Cities. UHG is the presenting sponsor of the games.
- "Brian was a passionate advocate for the Special Olympics movement and a steadfast supporter of our mission to celebrate the abilities of athletes with intellectual disabilities," the organizing committee said in a statement.
What they're saying: Word of Thompson's death sparked an outpouring of condolences from top Minnesota officials.
- Gov. Tim Walz posted on X that Thompson's death was "horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota."
- U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar called the shooting a "shocking act of violence."