Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Bullets that an unidentified gunman used to shoot and kill UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Wednesday morning had words written on them, CBS News has confirmed. The words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” appeared on shell casings recovered from the scene of the shooting in New York City, according to law enforcement officials. The officials said they are examining whether the words relate to a possible motive involving insurance companies and their responses to claims. ABC News first reported this information.Thompson, 50, was shot multiple times before 7 a.m. ET Wednesday, by a masked gunman who fled the area before police arrived. The shooting happened in a busy section of Manhattan outside of the Hilton Midtown hotel, where the executive was set to attend a conference for UnitedHealthcare investors. Thompson had been staying at the Marriott across the street, authorities said. Security footage showed him walking up to the Hilton at around 6:45 a.m., when a gunman who police said had been lying in wait for several minutes proceeded to shoot him at least once in the back, and, later, at least once in the leg. The suspect was seen approaching Thompson briefly in the video before crossing the street. He then took off on a bike and headed to Central Park. Police recovered three live rounds and three discharged shell casings from the scene.The gunman remained at large Thursday morning. Authorities described him as a white male who wore a tan-colored jacket, a black face mask and black-and-white sneakers. He also carried a gray backpack. The New York City Police Department released additional images of the suspect later Wednesday that showed him at a Starbucks two blocks from the shooting, about 20 minutes before it happened. A law enforcement source told CBS News he paid in cash at the coffee shop.
Police told CBS News they found unspecified “forensic evidence” at the Starbucks and that items recovered there are being tested for possible DNA and fingerprints. They also said they recovered a cellphone with “investigative value” in the alleyway near the shooting location and were processing it forensically to determine whether it could be connected to the shooter.Although authorities have not given a possible motive for the shooting, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch called it a “premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack” at a Wednesday news conference. Police did not directly respond when asked by reporters whether Thompson had known enemies prior to his his death or been blamed for insurance recipients’ lack of coverage under UnitedHealthcare. Issues with coverage sparked protests in Minnesota, where the company is headquartered and where Thompson lived. Thompson did not have a security detail when he was killed, according to police.Eric Werner, the police chief in Maple Grove, Minnesota, the Minneapolis suburb where Thompson lived, said his department had not received reports of threats against Thompson, the Associated Press reported. But the CEO’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News on Wednesday that “there had been some threats” against her husband.
“Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details. I just know there were some people that had been threatening him,” she said.While police searched through surveillance images and canvassed the area around the shooting for more video, a law enforcement source said investigators and security at UnitedHealthcare were also reviewing files to see if any records existed of previous threats or workers who were recently fired or disgruntled for another reason. Police have asked anyone who might know something about the shooting or the gunman to either report what they know to Crime Stoppers or submit tips anonymously online. The department is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the suspect’s arrest and conviction.This is a developing story and will be updated.
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Emily Mae Czachor
Emily Mae Czachor is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. She covers breaking news, often focusing on crime and extreme weather. Emily Mae has previously written for outlets including the Los Angeles Times, BuzzFeed and Newsweek.
