CEO killing reside updates: Backpack that could be linked to gunman discovered

NEW YORK CITY – Police are unveiling extra clues as they hunt for for proof within the ambush killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. 

LATEST UPDATES

9:50 p.m. – Suspect left New York Metropolis on bus headed to Atlanta

FOX Information is reporting that the suspected gunman left New York Metropolis after the homicide on a bus headed towards Atlanta.

The suspect arrived in New York final month on a bus from Atlanta, authorities beforehand stated.

8:18 p.m. – Police get well backpack

The NYPD has recovered a backpack in Central Park that could be linked to the gunman.

7:32 p.m. – Police trying into whether or not suspect used veterinary gun

In line with the New York Occasions, police are trying into the chance that the gunman used what is named a veterinary gun, a bigger firearm used on farms and ranches. 

4:42 p.m. – Officers seen guarding bag in Central Park

NYPD officers had been noticed by FOX 5 NY guarding a bag in Central Park, near the place an investigation was underway within the homicide of CEO Brian Thompson.

Police guard a brown bag in Central Park in the course of the investigation into CEO Brian Thompson’s killing

The brown bag seems to have clothes inside however it’s unclear the way it associated to the investigation.

4:38 – New video of suspected gunman

Video obtained by FOX 5 NY reveals the suspected CEO killer driving a motorbike at 6:58 a.m. Wednesday on the Higher West Aspect.

He’s seen driving down eighty fifth Avenue with out the grey backpack worn in the course of the homicide.

4:00 p.m. – Police consider gunman is now not in New York Metropolis

Police consider the gunman who stalked and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outdoors a Midtown Manhattan lodge has left NYC.

Video of the gunman fleeing Wednesday’s taking pictures of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson confirmed him driving via Central Park and later taking a taxi to a bus terminal, instantly throughout from New Jersey, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny informed CNN.

Police have video of the person getting into the bus station however no video of him exiting, main them to consider he left the town, Kenny stated. “It’s a really busy bus terminal, we need to be sure that now we have the suitable bus. However we’re working via that proper now, that is all new info,” he stated.

2:48 – Police search Central Park

An energetic police investigation was underway in Central Park for proof within the CEO ambush killing. FOX 5 NY confirms that police used drones to go looking the realm close to 59th Avenue and sixth Avenue the place they consider the person who killed Thompson might have dropped his backpack.

What we all know

JUMP TO: WHAT’S NEW WITH INVESTIGATION l TIMELINE OF EVENTS l WHO IS BRIAN THOMPSON? l WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT GUNMAN

Thompson was killed in a daybreak ambush on Wednesday as he walked from his Midtown lodge to the corporate’s annual investor convention throughout the road.

Whereas the gunman remains to be at massive and the motive for the killing stays unknown, the NYPD say proof firmly factors to the taking pictures being a focused assault.

Investigators labored to piece collectively extra of the timeline of the gunman’s whereabouts earlier than the taking pictures, look at safety digital camera footage and even check a discarded water bottle and protein bar wrapper in a hunt for his DNA.

Bus journey to New York Metropolis

Investigators now consider the suspect might have traveled to New York final month on a Greyhound bus that originated in Atlanta, Georgia, regulation enforcement sources informed FOX Information. In line with sources throughout the NYPD, the shooter boarded a bus in Atlanta the day earlier than Thanksgiving.

“We’re absolutely cooperating with authorities on this energetic investigation. As it’s ongoing, we can not present additional remark presently,” a Greyhound spokesperson informed Fox Information Digital. 

Recovered cellphone 

Investigators had been additionally attempting to acquire further info from a cellphone recovered from a pedestrian plaza via which the shooter fled.

Higher West Aspect hostel tip

A tip that the shooter might have stayed at a hostel introduced police on Thursday morning to a minimum of two such institutions on the Higher West Aspect, in accordance with regulation enforcement officers. The pictures made public Thursday had been taken within the foyer of the HI New York Metropolis hostel.

“We’re absolutely cooperating with the NYPD and, as that is an energetic investigation, cannot remark presently,” hostel spokesperson Danielle Brumfitt stated in an emailed assertion.

Pretend New Jersey ID card

Investigators consider the suspect used a faux New Jersey identification card when he checked in on the hostel, stated one of many officers who spoke with the AP.

Staff who work on the hostel informed investigators they remembered a person who nearly at all times wore a masks when interacting with them or passing by the entrance desk. That particular person wore a jacket that seemed just like the one worn by the person pictured in surveillance pictures launched after the taking pictures, the official stated.

At Wednesday’s press convention, the NYPD referred to as the taking pictures a “brazen, focused assault,” with the suspect ready for his or her supposed goal on this “premeditated, preplanned, focused assault.”

“It seems the suspect was mendacity in watch for a number of minutes and because the sufferer was strolling to the convention lodge, the suspect approached from behind and fired a number of rounds, putting the sufferer a minimum of as soon as within the again and a minimum of as soon as in the suitable calf,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated. 

One video confirmed him approaching Thompson from behind, leveling his pistol and firing a number of pictures, barely pausing to clear a short gun jam. Different safety cameras captured the preliminary phases of the gunman’s escape.

The phrases “deny,” “defend” and “depose” had been discovered emblazoned on the ammunition, echoing a phrase utilized by insurance coverage business critics, regulation enforcement officers stated. 

The suspect, who was carrying a backpack, is described as a 6′ tall man with a slim construct. He was final seen carrying a cream-colored jacket with black gloves and a black masks. Tisch stated many individuals handed the suspect, however he appeared to attend for his supposed goal.

Based mostly on surveillance video and proof from the scene, investigators consider the shooter had a minimum of some firearms coaching and expertise with weapons and that the weapon was geared up with a silencer, a regulation enforcement official stated.

Following the taking pictures, the suspect walked between two automobiles, acquired onto a motorbike then disappeared into Central Park, the NYPD stated. 

It was beforehand reported that the suspect used a Citibike – which will be tracked – however the NYPD has clarified that the incident didn’t contain that sort of motorbike. Investigators had been trying into whether or not the suspect had pre-positioned a motorbike as a part of an escape plan, an official stated.

The suspected gunman within the killing of Brian Thompson.

Though police have stated it was a focused assault, they haven’t but launched a motive. No suspects have been named, however regulation enforcement sources verify with FOX 5 NY that they’ve acquired a lot of suggestions, and in a kind of suggestions, there’s a title police are taking a look at.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny has shared a timeline of occasions that led to the deadly taking pictures of Thompson:

• Undetermined time: Police say the gunman arrived outdoors the Hilton Resort roughly 5 minutes earlier than Thompson and stood alongside the constructing line.
• 6:44 a.m.: Thompson exits his lodge, crosses the road to the Hilton Resort and is seen strolling alone on the sidewalk outdoors the constructing. Police consider Thompson was planning to attend the UnitedHealth Group Buyers Convention taking place on the lodge later that morning.
• Undetermined time: The gunman steps onto the sidewalk from behind a automotive and approaches Thompson, taking pictures him within the again. The gunman continued strolling towards Thompson whereas taking pictures when police say the firearm appeared to have malfunctioned. The person clears the jam, fires once more and flees on foot into a close-by alleyway between 54th Avenue and West fifty fifth Avenue.
• 6:46 a.m.: Police responded to a 911 name reporting that somebody had been shot in entrance of the Hilton Resort positioned on sixth Avenue between 53rd and 54th streets.
• Undetermined time: As soon as on West fifty fifth Avenue, the gunman continues to stroll westbound on sixth Avenue and will get onto a motorbike. He continues driving northbound towards Central Park.
• 6:48 a.m.: Police say the gunman was seen driving the bike into Central Park at Middle Drive.
• 6:48 a.m.: Officers arrived on the scene and located Thompson on the sidewalk in entrance of the lodge with gunshot wounds to his again and leg. EMS personnel transported Thompson to the hospital.
• 7:12 a.m.: Thompson was pronounced useless at Roosevelt Hospital.

Thompson was named chief govt officer for UnitedHealthcare in April 2021, in accordance with UnitedHealthcare’s web site. He lived in Minnesota, the place the corporate is predicated. 

Earlier than that, he was CEO of UnitedHealthcare’s authorities applications enterprise, together with Medicare & Retirement and Group & State. He’d labored at UnitedHealth Group since 2004 and served in a number of management roles.

Earlier than he joined UnitedHealth Group, Thompson was a CPA at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. He was valedictorian of his class on the College of Iowa, in accordance with Thompson’s LinkedIn profile. 

Thompson was on the town for UnitedHealthcare’s 2024 investor convention. The convention, which was going down on the lodge the place Thompson was shot, was canceled.