UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting: List of Reported Police Evidence

Police have several potentially key pieces of evidence to assist in their manhunt for the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was gunned down in New York City on Wednesday morning.

Thompson, 50, was fatally shot on the street near a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan by a masked man around 6:45 a.m. Eastern Time. The gunman reportedly fled on foot before mounting a bicycle and riding north to Central Park. His whereabouts since have been unknown.

Joseph Kenny, New York City Police Department (NYPD) chief of detectives, said during a news conference that the suspect is “a light-skinned male” who was “wearing a light brown or cream colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers and a very distinctive gray backpack” at the time of the killing.

Initial reports indicated that the suspect may have fled on an e-bike from Citi Bike, a company that offers thousands of bicycles for rental in New York City. But CNN later reported that the e-bike was not from the company, which might have offered authorities digital evidence regarding the suspect.

Here’s the publicly reported evidence that could assist police in their quest to identify Thompson’s killer:

Surveillance Footage of the Suspect and the Shooting

Police released several images of the suspect taken from surveillance videos within hours of the fatal shooting. They include the gunman aiming his weapon during the slaying and riding the bike afterward. The suspect’s gait, or manner of walking, is visible in the video footage and could be recognizable to those who know him.

Images reportedly taken inside a Starbucks also offer a relatively clear view of the upper portion of the suspect’s face, with the lower half covered by a face mask. These images could offer a vital clue to help a friend, family member or acquaintance identify the shooter.

NYPD investigators are also reviewing security footage from additional cameras in efforts to determine where the suspect came from and where he went after arriving at Central Park after the shooting.

Bullets and Shell Casings

Police recovered three live 9 mm bullets and three spent 9 mm shell casings at the crime scene. While 9 mm handguns are popular weapons, distinctive markings on the bullets and shell casings could reveal whether the gun used in the shooting was involved in any additional crimes.

If any weapons suspected of being the gun used in the shooting are recovered, the bullet markings could also be used to definitively tie the weapon to Thompson’s killing.

Possible Forensic Evidence

Police have not indicated whether they have uncovered DNA evidence tied to the suspect. However, CNN reported on Wednesday night that a water bottle the suspect is believed to have purchased at Starbucks shortly before the shooting had been recovered in a nearby alleyway.

The water bottle could contain DNA or fingerprint evidence. Surveillance footage does not appear to show the suspect wearing gloves. CBS News also reported on Wednesday that “forensic evidence” discovered at the Starbucks was being tested by police for DNA and fingerprints.

A Phone That May Belong to the Suspect

CNN reported that a phone possibly belonging to the gunman was found in the alleyway alongside the water bottle. In addition to potential physical evidence like DNA and fingerprints, the phone may reveal valuable digital information about the assailant if police are able to unlock it.

The status of several other key pieces of evidence, such as the weapon and e-bike used by the gunman, was unclear at the time of publication.

Newsweek reached out for comment to the NYPD via email on Wednesday night.

The motive for the shooting, in which a silencer was used, is unknown. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the incident a “brazen, targeted” attack on Thompson, saying the gunman was “lying in wait” for several minutes before firing the weapon.

“I want to be clear: At this time, every indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack,” Tisch said.