The killer is being hunted by the NYPD.
December 5, 2024, published at 12:15 PM ET
New York City police have used facial recognition technology and a discarded cell phone to catch the gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
RadarOnline.com can reveal a massive manhunt is underway to find the gunman after he quickly fled the scene after shooting the 50-year-old outside a Manhattan hotel.
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New York City police used facial recognition technology and a discarded cellphone photo to catch the gunman.
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The NYPD used facial recognition technology to arrest the gunman and released new chilling photos of the suspect at Starbucks moments before Wednesday morning’s brutal murder.
The police also use a discarded mobile phone to track down the killer.
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Early Wednesday morning around 6:45 a.m., Thompson was shot in the back and leg while walking to a work conference.
The CEO was given CPR at the scene and was quickly transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead about 30 minutes after the attack.
According to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, the gunman’s gun appeared to jam after he shot Thompson, but quickly fixed it and shot the CEO again.
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The shooter was spotted at Starbucks before the killing.
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The investigation into the brutal murder has focused on some clues left at the scene, as well as the shooter’s stop at Starbucks.
Until now, the investigation into Thompson’s murder has focused on some of the clues police are using to identify the suspect.
Police revealed that the suspect was photographed at a nearby Starbucks just minutes before the shooting, and despite wearing a mask, half of his face can still be seen.
Using these images, researchers try to use facial recognition software to find a match.
Police are also testing three bullet casings and three live rounds found at the scene for DNA to help track down the killer.
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According to reports, the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were found on the shell casings.
Those exact words on the bullets could refer to a 2020 book condemning insurance companies – Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.
A cell phone was also found along the same path the suspect took after hopping on his bike and fleeing the scene.
Police have obtained a search warrant to search the contents of the phone they believe belongs to the shooter.
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Thompson was walking alone in New York City when he was shot.
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As for other clues, social media users were quick to point out that the shooter was wearing a luxury backpack that retails for $279 and is well known in the photography field.
Footage shared by officers shows the suspect in a Starbucks before the shooting and escaping on a bicycle.
One person wrote: “They’re made for photographers, but I think the side door access works well for assassins too.”
The backpack, called the Everyday Backpack, is made by Peak Design and comes with built-in pockets.
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Thompson is survived by his wife, Paulette Thompson, and two sons.
In a statement to NBC News, Thompson’s wife revealed that there had been some “threats” before her husband was killed.
A motive behind the brutal attack is not known at this time.
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Social media users were quick to point out the gray backpack the shooter was wearing.