Paulette Thompson calls assault on her husband ‘mindless’
Brian Thompson’s spouse, Paulette Thompson, has launched an announcement, calling the killing of her husband “senseless.”
The assertion, obtained by CNN, states:
We’re shattered to listen to concerning the mindless killing of our beloved Brian.
Brian was an extremely loving, beneficiant, gifted man who really lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives.
Most significantly, Brian was an extremely loving father to our two sons and shall be drastically missed.
We admire your properly needs and request full privateness as our household strikes by way of this troublesome time.
Key occasions
Steve Parente, a well being economist on the College of Minnesota and a former healthcare official within the first Trump administration, has praised Thompson, describing him as an “incredible guy.”
In an interview with the Minnesota Star Tribune, Parente mentioned that he labored with Thompson to assist develop a system for distributing federal monetary support to healthcare suppliers in the course of the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, whereas Parente was working within the White Home.
”He was simply an unbelievable man – good, resourceful,” Parente mentioned. “This is just a total tragedy.”
Minnesota Senator Tina Smith has additionally commented on the killing, calling it a “horrifying tragedy.”
Capturing is not going to affect the annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Middle, police say
Police mentioned in the course of the information convention that the capturing wouldn’t have an effect on the annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Middle, which is just a few blocks away from the Hilton Resort.
“Millions of people will be enjoying the tree lighting tonight, among other holiday events, and the NYPD will be out there with them, keeping them safe” New York Metropolis Police Commissioner, Jessica Tisch mentioned.
The tree lighting ceremony is scheduled to start at 7 pm ET on Wednesday night.
“This incident will not affect the tree lighting” a police official added. “The Tree Lighting is slated to start at 7pm, the actual lighting of the tree will be closer 10 o’clock.”
“We will have a massive police presence out there around Rockefeller Center from 52nd street all the way down to 47th Street” authorities mentioned, including that extra law enforcement officials have been additionally going to be within the subway as properly.
A witness who heard the gunfire described the incident as “pretty scary.”
Christian Diaz informed Reuters he heard the gunfire from the close by College Membership Resort the place he works.
“The police were here in seconds” Diaz mentioned. “It’s New York. It’s not normal here at seven in the morning but it’s pretty scary.”
Paulette Thompson calls assault on her husband ‘mindless’
Brian Thompson’s spouse, Paulette Thompson, has launched an announcement, calling the killing of her husband “senseless.”
The assertion, obtained by CNN, states:
We’re shattered to listen to concerning the mindless killing of our beloved Brian.
Brian was an extremely loving, beneficiant, gifted man who really lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives.
Most significantly, Brian was an extremely loving father to our two sons and shall be drastically missed.
We admire your properly needs and request full privateness as our household strikes by way of this troublesome time.
Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips has shared an announcement on the capturing.
“I’m horrified by the assassination of my constituent, Brian Thompson, this morning in NYC and have his family in my prayers,” Phillips posted to X.
The suspect was final noticed in Central Park, authorities say
Police mentioned on Wednesday that the gunman was final seen in Central Park on heart drive early on Wednesday morning, after fleeing the scene by foot after which on an electrical Citi Bike.
As of Wednesday afternoon, a helicopter was reported flying overhead in Central Park, in keeping with the New York Occasions.
A former UnitedHealth Group govt who labored with Thompson for over a decade has described him as “humble” and a “family man.”
Talking with the Minnesota Star Tribune, John Penshorn, a former UnitedHealth Group govt who labored with Thompson for greater than a decade earlier than retiring in 2019, mentioned that Thompson was humble, a servant-leader and household man.”
The Minnesota Star Tribune is reporting that the principal of Wayzata Excessive Faculty, the place one among Thompson’s sons is presently a pupil and the opposite has not too long ago graduated, despatched a word to employees this morning expressing deep sympathy for the household.
“Wayzata High School has taken immediate steps to support our students and staff, as they process this devastating event,” Principal Scott Gengler wrote in a memo shared with the Star Tribune.
“Our student support teams are available and are offering a safe and supportive space for students and staff to grieve and find comfort” it added. “Additionally, our dedicated team of social workers is available to provide personalized support and guidance for those who need it.”
A spokesperson for Lyft, which runs CitiBike, mentioned that the corporate was prepared to assist authorities with the investigation.
The spokesperson, Eric Smith informed the Washington Submit that the corporate stood “ready to assist law enforcement with this investigation.”
Smith added that the corporate had but not been contacted by New York police concerning the investigation as of Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities have mentioned the gunman fled the scene of the capturing on a electrical CitiBike bicycle.
Police launch safety digital camera pictures of gunman as manhunt continues
Listed here are the photographs that the police have launched of the gunman:
New York governor Kathy Hochul says ‘hearts are with the household’ after ‘horrific’ capturing
New York governor Kathy Hochul mentioned in an announcement that she has been briefed on the “horrific and targeted shooting”.
In response to the Washington Submit, Hochul mentioned that she has directed state police to supply native authorities with “any necessary assistance.”
“Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Thompson and we are committed to ensuring the perpetrator is brought to justice” Hochul added.
Rachel Leingang
Reporting from Minnesota:
UnitedHealthcare has been the topic of public and governmental scrutiny for its practices, significantly its sample of denying protection for claims.
At a protest outdoors the corporate’s headquarters in Minnesota in July 2024, 11 individuals have been arrested and cited for blocking a roadway after gathering to protest United Healthcare’s protection points, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported. On the time, the corporate mentioned its workers’ security was its high precedence.
Individuals’s Motion Institute, which organized the July protest and an earlier one towards the corporate, mentioned in July that people who find themselves on the corporate’s insurance coverage and medical professionals had “petitioned, protested and spoken directly to the chief medical officer of UnitedHealth Group about our concerns, but their leadership has refused to acknowledge that prior authorizations and claim denials are a widespread problem.”
Jenn Coffey, who was a Republican state lawmaker in New Hampshire, has participated in protests towards the corporate and spoken publicly about declare and protection denials for medical remedy.
“I stood in United healthcare’s Headquarters in Minnesota and told them I didn’t want to die,” she wrote on her web site. “I’m left feeling that is the very thing they are hoping for.”
Brian Thompson’s sister-in-law Elena Reveiz mentioned this morning that she was nonetheless processing the information of Thompson’s loss of life.
“He was a good person, and I am so sad,” Reveiz informed the New York Occasions, including that Thompson was an excellent father to his two youngsters. Reveiz mentioned she was on her approach to be with their household.
Brian Thompson’s spouse says he acquired threats
Whereas the motive nonetheless stays unclear, Thompson’s spouse, Paulette Thompson, has mentioned that he had been receiving threats.
“There had been some threats,” she mentioned in a cellphone name with NBC Information. “Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.”
She additionally informed the outlet that the police had knowledgeable her that it appeared the capturing was “a planned attack.”
Amy Klobuchar, the US senator from Minnesota, described the capturing as a “horrifying and shocking act of violence”.
In a assertion she added: “My thoughts are with Brian Thompson’s family and loved ones and all those working at UnitedHealthcare in Minnesota.”
Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, known as the capturing “horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and healthcare community in Minnesota.”
In an announcement on Wednesday, he added that “Minnesota is sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team.”
Who’s Brian Thompson?
Brian Thompson, 50, was named chief govt officer for UnitedHealthcare in April 2021, in keeping with the firm.
Previous to this position, he served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare authorities packages together with Medicare and retirement and group and state.
Earlier than main authorities packages, Thompson served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare medicare and retirement.
Thompson, who lives in Minnesota, joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004.
New York Mayor Eric Adams mentioned that the capturing didn’t look like a random assault and that police have been reviewing proof from the scene.
“This was not what appears to be a just random act of violence” Adams mentioned, in keeping with the Related Press. “It seems to be clearly targeted by an individual and we will apprehend that individual.”
