United HealthCare CEO Killed in Targeted Attack in New York City

United HealthCare CEO Brian Thompson was killed in a targeted attack early Wednesday in Manhattan. That’s according to CNN.

Thompson was shot outside the New York Hilton Midtown at 6:44 a.m. While from Minnesota, he was in town for the company’s annual investor conference. He was named CEO in 2021.

Surveillance footage of the shooting showed that the gunman, shown above in an image released by the NYPD, specifically targeted Thompson and used a gun with a silencer. He fled the scene in an e-bike after the shooting.

Thompson was walking alone by himself at the time of the shooting. The suspect fired three shots.

The brazen attack could lead to questions for high-profile companies and whether CEOs and other C-suite level employees should have more protection.

According to the The New York Times, dozens of chief security officers from Fortune 500 companies convened in a video call on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the shooting.

The discussion focused on best practices and reviews of executive protection programs.

Eric Clay, current president of the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) discussed the shooting in a LinkedIn post:

While we don’t yet have a motive for this senseless act, the fact that it has been called targeted, suggests it could be related to the victims role as CEO of the insurance arm of the largest healthcare company in the world.

As healthcare security professionals, we know that many see healthcare as a target for their anger. Family members who have lost a loved one may feel as though a physician, healthcare facility, or insurer is responsible for that loss.

This, coupled with the fact that todays CEO’s and other executives have higher profiles than ever before, and internet searches make it far easier to gather information on them, requires a greater focus on personal security.

About the Author

Brent Dirks is senior editor for Security Today and Campus Security Today magazines.

Featured

  • Integration Imagination: The Future of Connected Operations

    Security teams that collaborate cross-functionally and apply imagination and creativity to envision and design their ideal integrated ecosystem will have the biggest upside to corporate security and operational benefits. Read Now

  • Smarter Access Starts with Flexibility

    Today’s workplaces are undergoing a rapid evolution, driven by hybrid work models, emerging smart technologies, and flexible work schedules. To keep pace with growing workplace demands, buildings are becoming more dynamic – capable of adapting to how people move, work, and interact in real-time. Read Now

  • Trends Keeping an Eye on Business Decisions

    Today, AI continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. AI and the cloud together are redefining how video surveillance systems are being used to simulate human intelligence by combining data analysis, prediction, and process automation with minimal human intervention. Many organizations are upgrading their surveillance systems to reap the benefits of technologies like AI and cloud applications. Read Now

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • Right-Wing Activist Charlie Kirk Dies After Utah Valley University Shooting

    Charlie Kirk, a popular conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, died Wednesday after being shot during an on-campus event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.