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NEW YORK (Haiti Wire) – The hunt for the masked gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a bold midtown Manhattan attack continues, with investigators focusing on surveillance footage, potential DNA evidence, and witness accounts. Despite these leads, significant challenges remain as police comb through the vast expanse of New York City for the elusive suspect.
Surveillance Video and Photos
Authorities have released surveillance photos showing a man they describe as a “person of interest” linked to the case. The images, taken near a hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and at a Starbucks shortly before the shooting, provide crucial glimpses of the suspect. In the Starbucks footage, the man is seen without a mask, flashing a smile, and carrying a distinctive backpack.
Evidence Left Behind
Near the crime scene, detectives recovered a phone and a bottle of water, which they believe may belong to the shooter. Investigators are analyzing these items for DNA or other identifying information. Additionally, shell casings and a live round found at the scene bore the words “delay” and “depose,” cryptic markings that investigators are exploring for possible motives. Experts note these phrases might reference a popular insurance industry term: “delay, deny, defend.”
Witness Accounts
Investigators have identified the suspect’s likely lodging at a hostel, where he reportedly shared a room with two other individuals. These potential witnesses could provide valuable insights into the suspect’s behavior and movements before the crime.
Methodical Execution
Surveillance footage shows the gunman arriving at the Hilton Hotel on Sixth Avenue 5 to 10 minutes before the attack, suggesting prior surveillance or inside information. Despite multiple gun malfunctions during the shooting, the suspect demonstrated calmness and skill in clearing jams, indicating possible training or experience.
Evasion Tactics
Initial reports indicated that the suspect fled the scene on an electric bike but may have continued on foot toward Central Park. Beyond this point, investigators have no confirmed sightings, fueling concerns that the suspect used the park to evade detection by changing clothes or blending into the bustling cityscape.
Challenges of Urban Tracking
Tracking a single individual in New York City, a densely populated metropolis of over 8 million people, is a daunting task. The suspect’s movement across multiple locations, including the Upper West Side and Midtown, adds further complexity to efforts to pinpoint his trajectory.
Authorities continue to appeal to the public for assistance, urging anyone with information to come forward. As the NYPD intensifies its efforts, the case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges involved in solving high-profile crimes in a sprawling urban environment.
Latest Developments in UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Investigation (Updated 9:24PM ET)
Suspect Spotted on West 55th Street Before Shooting
Newly released video footage shows what appears to be the suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson walking along West 55th Street in New York City shortly before the attack. In the screengrab, the suspect stops momentarily near a pile of trash, raising questions about his behavior and intent in the moments leading up to the crime.
Suspect Traveled from Atlanta to New York
Investigators have confirmed that the gunman traveled to New York City via a Greyhound bus that originated in Atlanta. Authorities are working to determine whether the suspect boarded the bus in Atlanta or at another stop along the route. The suspect is believed to have arrived at Manhattan’s Port Authority bus terminal on November 24, 10 days before the shooting.
Hostel Movements and Use of False Identification
The suspect checked into a hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side using a fake New Jersey driver’s license. He paid for his stay in cash and checked out on November 29, only to return and check back in on November 30. A hostel employee told law enforcement that she interacted with the suspect, asking him to briefly lower his mask, which is when his now-released photo was captured.
Search for E-Bike and Potential Evidence
Police have yet to determine where the suspect acquired the e-bike used in his escape from the crime scene. Authorities continue to interview witnesses, analyze video footage, and trace the suspect’s movements to build a clearer picture of his activities before and after the murder.
The investigation remains active as law enforcement pieces together the timeline of events and the suspect’s movements leading up to the brazen attack.
