- UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed by a gunman in New York City on Wednesday morning.
- Thompson worked at UnitedHealthcare for 20 years and was named its CEO in 2021.
- He grew up in Iowa and is survived by his wife and their two sons.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson died Wednesday morning after he was shot by a gunman in New York City in what the New York City Police Department called a "brazen, targeted attack." He was 50 years old.
The shooting took place at 6:46 a.m. outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan, where Thompson was scheduled to speak at the company's investor conference. The shooter remains at large.
UnitedHealth Group said in a statement that the company was "deeply saddened and shocked" by Thompson's death.
Here are five things to know about Thompson's life and career, and the homicide investigation.
Early life and education
The University of Iowa.
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Thompson attended South Hamilton High School in Jewell, Iowa, where he was named valedictorian. The school district released a statement memorializing him as "a star student, athlete, homecoming king, and a respected leader."
Thompson graduated from the University of Iowa in 1997 with a Bachelor's degree in business administration and accounting.
Accounting career
A PwC office.
Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto/Getty Images
Thompson worked at the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, or PwC, from 1997 to 2004 as a manager in the firm's audit and transaction advisory services groups, according to his LinkedIn profile.
CEO of UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare's corporate headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
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Thompson worked at UnitedHealthcare for 20 years, joining as a director on UnitedHealth Group's corporate development team in 2004. He rose through the ranks, becoming the CEO of the company's Medicare and retirement business in 2017 and of its government programs in 2019.
He was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare in 2021.
Thompson was one of four UnitedHealthcare executives named in a lawsuit filed by the City of Hollywood Firefighters' Pension Fund in May regarding allegations of insider trading. The suit alleges that Thompson sold $15 million of his shares in company stock before news of the Department of Justice's antitrust investigation into UnitedHealth became public, tanking its shareholder value.
UnitedHealthcare did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Shooting in New York City
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed in New York City, where he was set to speak at an "investor day" event.
Stefan Jeremiah/AP Images
Thompson was shot on Wednesday morning outside a Hilton hotel in New York City, where he was scheduled to speak at UnitedHealth Group's investor conference.
New York City Police Department commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a press conference on Wednesday that the shooting "does not appear to be a random act of violence."
The gunman fled the scene and has not yet been apprehended.
"We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare," the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
The statement continued: "Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian's family and all who were close to him."
Wife and family
Brian Thompson.
Business Wire/AP
Thompson is survived by his wife, Paulette Thompson, and their two sons. The couple lived in separate homes in Maple Grove, Minnesota, The Wall Street Journal reported.
"We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian," Paulette Thompson told Minnesota affiliate Fox 9. "Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives. Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed. We appreciate your well wishes and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time."
Paulette Thompson told NBC News that her husband had received "some threats" but that she didn't know the details.