Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has reacted to the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, whose company is headquartered in the state.
Walz, 60, took to social media to react to the ‘horrifying news’ that Thompson, 50, had been shot and killed in New York City.
‘This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota,’ Walz, who recently ran for vice president on Kamala Harris’ ticket, wrote on X.
‘Minnesota is sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team.’
Minnesota Senator, Amy Klobuchar, also wrote a tribute to Thompson on X, writing: ‘This is a horrifying and shocking act of violence. My thoughts are with Brian Thompson’s family and loved ones and all those working at United Healthcare in Minnesota.’
The health insurance company, which is the largest in the US, is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
The CEO of America’s largest health insurance company was shot and killed by a masked attacker outside Manhattan’s Hilton Hotel on Wednesday shortly before 7am.
Thompson was fatally shot in the chest in a targeted attack by a masked man, who then fled down 6th Avenue and is being sought by police, witnesses said.
Walz, 60, took to X to react to the ‘horrifying news’ that Thompson had been shot and killed in New York City
The health insurance company, which is the largest in the US, is based out of Minnetonka, Minnesota. Walz – who recently ran for VP on Kamala Harris’ ticket – was pictured with the CEO in 2022
Thompson, 50, was fatally shot in the chest in a possibly targeted attack by a masked man, who then fled down 6th Avenue and is being sought by police
The suspect is at large, and is described as a white male wearing a cream-colored jacket, black face mask, black and white sneakers, and a grey backpack.
Witnesses said the suspected gunman was seen waiting outside the hotel before the shooting, and knew which door Thompson was going to emerge from before shooting him at point-blank range.
The CEO was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition, and was later pronounced dead.
Witness Amar Abdelmula, a driver, told PIX11: ‘I wasn’t paying attention and then I heard the shot. It was silent gun, black gun, saw him after he shot him and was running across the street. I tried take a picture, but too far away, not clear.
‘I was shocked. First time I see crime in front of me,’ he added. ‘I was afraid he [would] shoot me too, my car, I saw everything.’
A huge police presence descended on the scene near W. 54th St. and 6th Avenue Wednesday morning. The NYPD has not yet released a motive.
Staff at the Hilton Hotel remained tight-lipped after the shooting, and refused to speak with journalists about that morning’s horror.
Officials said hours after the shooting that they have made no arrests and the investigation is ongoing.
Minnesota Senator, Amy Klobuchar, also wrote a tribute to Thompson on X
The CEO was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition, and was later pronounced dead
Thompson is survived by his wife Paulette ‘Pauley’ Thompson, 51, and their two children who live in the family’s $1.5million home in Maple Grove, Minnesota
The CEO of parent company United Healthgroup, Andrew Witty, reportedly halted a meeting at the Hilton Hotel just after 8am upon hearing of the shooting.
He told attendees: ‘We’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members. As a result, I’m afraid, we’re going to have to bring to a close the event.’
Thompson was named UnitedHealthcare CEO in 2021 and earned a reported $10million a year, and for several years prior, he ran the Medicare business within UnitedHealthcare.
He was slated to speak at an investor meeting at the Hilton Hotel soon after the shooting. According to a release from United Healthcare on Tuesday, he would announce the company’s hugely profitable 2025 financial outlook, including expected revenues upwards of $450billion.
United is the biggest health insurer by market share in America. The company has been the subject of frequent protests by activists for allegedly systematically denying care for patients.
One such protest earlier this year led to the arrests of 11 people outside the United Healthcare headquarters in Minnetonka.
The company made headlines in February after it was subjected to a cyber-attack which cost $872 million.
Thompson is survived by his wife Paulette ‘Pauley’ Thompson, 51, and their two children who live in the family’s $1.5million home in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
Mom-of-two Pauley is a practicing physical therapist for Park Nicollet Health Services with over 20 years of experience.