UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson killed outside NYC hotel: Timeline of what happened
NEW YORK CITY (FOX 9) - UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who lived in Minnesota, was fatally shot in New York City last week and police broke down the timeline of events leading up to and immediately following the "brazen, targeted attack."
Timeline of shooting
Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny shared a timeline of events that led to the fatal shooting of Thompson on the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 4 in New York City. Here's what we know.
- November 27: The suspected gunman arrives by bus from Atlanta.
- Undetermined time: Police say the gunman arrived outside the Hilton Hotel approximately five minutes before Thompson and stood alongside the building line.
- 6:44 a.m.: Thompson exits his hotel, crosses the street to the Hilton Hotel and is seen walking alone on the sidewalk outside the building. Police believe Thompson was planning to attend the UnitedHealth Group Investors Conference happening at the hotel later that morning.
- Undetermined time: The gunman steps onto the sidewalk from behind a car and approaches Thompson, shooting him in the back. The gunman continues walking toward Thompson while shooting when police say the firearm appears to have malfunctioned. The man clears the jam, fires again and flees on foot into a nearby alleyway between 54th Street and West 55th Street.
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- 6:46 a.m.: Police responded to a 911 call reporting that someone had been shot in front of the Hilton Hotel located on 6th Avenue between 53rd and 54th streets.
- Undetermined time: Once on West 55th Street, the gunman continues to walk westbound on 6th Avenue and gets onto a city e-bike. He continues riding northbound toward Central Park.
- 6:48 a.m.: Police say the gunman was seen riding the bike into Central Park at Center Drive.
- 6:48 a.m.: Officers arrived at the scene and found Thompson on the sidewalk in front of the hotel with gunshot wounds to his back and leg. EMS personnel transported Thompson to the hospital.
- 7:12 a.m.: Thompson was pronounced dead at Roosevelt Hospital.
The investigation
Dec. 6:
Kenny and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch reveal that investigators believe the gunman left New York City on a bus. Investigators say he entered the George Washington Bridge Bus Station but have not found video of him leaving or getting on a bus.
"It could possibly be a disgruntled employee, or a disgruntled client," Kenny says of a possible motive in a briefing.
Police found what they said was the man's backpack. Its contents are not disclosed.
Dec. 7:
Police continue to search Central Park; scuba divers are seen scouring a pond. The NYPD released additional photos showing the suspected shooter next to and in the back seat of a taxi. In both images, he is seen wearing a blue, medical-style face mask.
Despite recovering a fingerprint from the Starbucks purchase and sending items for DNA testing, police have yet to publicly identify the suspect.
Dec. 8:
Scuba divers are again seen at a Central Park pond. Police declined to comment on the investigation.
The arrest
On Monday, Dec. 9, police in Altoona, Pennsylvania took a man into custody:
- Monday, approximately 9 a.m.: Police say a worker and customer see Mangione eating breakfast at a McDonald's in Altoona and think he looks similar to the wanted gunman. They contacted the police.
- Monday, 9:14 a.m. eastern: Officers are dispatched to McDonald's for the report. They make contact with Mangione and ultimately arrest him on separate charges.
- Monday, approximately 5:30 p.m.: Mangione appears in court for arraignment on charges in Pennsylvania.
- Tuesday, 1 p.m.: Mangione returns to court for a hearing on extradition. Ultimately, he waives extradition, meaning he will fight being moved.