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

  • Accelerating a Pathway

    There is a new trend touting the transformational qualities of AI’s ability to deliver actionable data and predictive analysis that in many instances, seems to be a bit of an overpromise. The reality is that very few solutions in the cyber-physical security (CPS) space live up to this high expectation with the one exception being the new generation of Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) software – herein recategorized as PIAM+. Read Now

  • Protecting Your Zones

    It is game day. You can feel the crowd’s energy. In the parking lot. At the gate. In the stadium. On the concourse. Fans are eager to party. Food and merchandise vendors ready themselves for the rush. Read Now

  • Street Smarts

    The ongoing acceptance of AI and advanced data analytics has allowed surveillance camera technology to shift from being a tactical tool to a strategic business solution. Combining traditional surveillance technology with AI-based data-driven insights can streamline transportation systems, enhance traffic management, improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation and streamline emergency response procedures. Read Now

  • The Progress of Biometrics

  • Next-Gen AI for Smart Cities

    The future of smart city technology is not being shaped in Silicon Valley — it is taking root in Dubuque, Iowa. With a population of about 60,000, this mid-sized city has become a live testbed for AI-driven traffic management thanks to a unique public-private collaboration led by Milestone Systems. Project Hafnia demonstrates how cities can transform urban mobility and safety through Responsible Technology—without costly infrastructure overhauls. Read Now

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.