Crime
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson receiving ‘threats’ prior to fatal shooting, wife Paulette ‘Pauley’ Thompson says
Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare’s insurance division, had reportedly been the target of threats in the weeks leading up to his tragic and fatal shooting in Midtown Manhattan, according to his wife, Paulette “Pauley” Thompson.
The 50-year-old executive was gunned down outside the New York Hilton Midtown early Wednesday morning in what authorities have labeled a targeted attack.
The incident occurred as Thompson arrived at the hotel for an Investor Day conference. A masked assailant, allegedly waiting for him, fired multiple shots before fleeing the scene on a bicycle.
Paulette Thompson, grieving the loss of her husband, revealed that Brian had recently been receiving threats. While she did not elaborate on the nature or source of these threats, she emphasized that Brian had shared his concerns with her in private conversations. “He mentioned feeling uneasy recently, but he didn’t let it show much,” she said. “I never thought it would escalate to this.”
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether these threats are linked to the fatal shooting. The investigation remains ongoing, and law enforcement officials are examining all possible motives, including business-related disputes or personal vendettas.
Mayor Eric Adams reassured the public that the shooting was not a random act of violence.
“This appears to have been a deliberate and targeted murder,” he stated during a press conference. Police sources indicated that the assailant fired multiple shots from a distance before fleeing through the Ziegfeld alleyway.
The suspect, described as a white male wearing a cream-colored jacket, black face mask, and black-and-white sneakers, remains at large. Surveillance images show him carrying a gray backpack and later pedaling away on a bicycle.
Brian Thompson leaves behind Paulette, a seasoned physical therapist, and their two children.
The family resides in Maple Grove, Minnesota, where they shared a $1.5 million home. Paulette, who earned her Master’s in Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa, has been an anchor for the family while excelling in her career with Park Nicollet Health Services.
The couple had built a life centered on family values and shared moments. Paulette often shared heartfelt posts of family vacations and gatherings, highlighting their close-knit bond.
Thompson had served UnitedHealthcare for over 20 years, rising to become CEO in 2021. Known for his leadership in government programs, including Medicare and retirement initiatives, he was a respected figure in the healthcare industry.
The tragic loss of Brian Thompson has left his family, colleagues, and the broader community in shock. Law enforcement is urging anyone with information regarding the case to come forward.
As the investigation continues, Paulette and her family are left grappling with unanswered questions and the void left by a man described as a dedicated husband, father, and leader.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.