Crime
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson shot and killed outside Hilton hotel in Midtown
No arrests have been made, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Brian Thompson, the 50-year-old CEO of UnitedHealth, was fatally shot in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning in what authorities describe as a targeted attack.
The incident occurred around 6:46 a.m. outside the Hilton hotel on 6th Avenue.
According to police sources, a masked suspect approached Thompson and fired a single shot to his chest before fleeing eastbound.
Emergency responders transported Thompson to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Law enforcement officials are actively investigating the incident, and preliminary reports suggest that Thompson was deliberately targeted.
The suspect is described as a white male wearing a cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers, and carrying a grey backpack.
Witnesses reported seeing the suspect loitering near the Hilton hotel on 6th Avenue prior to the incident.
Police sources confirmed that the suspect was not a registered guest at the hotel, though it remains unclear if he had any other connection to the location.
According to investigators, the suspect opened fire upon spotting Thompson, shooting from a distance and striking him multiple times.
After the shooting, the suspect fled the scene via the Ziegfeld alleyway, escaping on a bicycle.
Brian Thompson, who had been with UnitedHealth for two decades, was appointed CEO in 2021. Before taking on the leadership role, Thompson led the company’s government programs division, overseeing Medicare and retirement initiatives.
Brian Thompson is survived by his wife, Paulette “Pauley” Thompson, 51, and their two children. The family resides in a $1.5 million home in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
Pauley, a devoted mother of two, is a seasoned physical therapist with more than 20 years of experience, currently practicing with Park Nicollet Health Services.
Originally from Webster City, Iowa, she earned her Master’s in Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa in 1999, the same institution her late husband attended.
Known for her warm and family-centered demeanor, Pauley has shared heartfelt moments on social media, showcasing treasured family vacations and expressing her love for spending time with her children, friends, and loved ones. Her dedication to her family and profession has been a cornerstone of her life.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police are urging anyone with information to contact authorities.
Crime
Jonathan Schaffer killed in shooting inside Coquette Brasserie at North Hills in Raleigh
According to witnesses, George Colom, the executive chef at Coquette, entered the restaurant before 11 a.m. and fatally shot Jonathan Schaffer, a fellow employee.
Two employees of Coquette Brasserie have identified the gunman involved in Friday’s deadly shooting, which left one employee dead and another injured.
The incident unfolded inside the French restaurant, located at 4351 The Circle at North Hills Street in Raleigh.
According to witnesses, George Colom, the executive chef at Coquette, entered the restaurant before 11 a.m. and fatally shot Jonathan Schaffer, a fellow employee.
Colom then shot Jonathan Aguilar, another employee, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
After the shootings, Colom turned the gun on himself. He remains in critical condition, according to Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson.
Chief Patterson stated that all shots were fired inside the restaurant and the incident appeared to stem from a personal dispute.
She emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Urban Food Group, the company that owns Coquette, had listed Colom as the restaurant’s executive chef on its website. However, his name has since been removed.
Colom has a notable criminal history:
In September 2024, Colom was involved in a crash in Orange County, North Carolina, and pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident. He was ordered to pay $193 in court costs.
In January 2011, Colom was convicted in federal court for possessing a stolen firearm in New Mexico. He was sentenced to three years and four months in prison. The charges stemmed from a 2010 incident.
After his release from federal prison, Colom returned to North Carolina and transitioned into the restaurant industry. According to his LinkedIn profile, he initially worked in the Wilmington area before moving to the Raleigh-Durham region around 2017.
Before his incarceration, Colom reportedly attended culinary classes at Central New Mexico Community College, where he honed his skills as a chef. His social media accounts feature photos of his culinary creations alongside images of firearms tagged with evidence markers from the U.S. Department of Justice.
State court records indicate that Colom is originally from Hubert, Onslow County, North Carolina, near the coast. His record also includes minor drug charges.
The Raleigh Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. Chief Patterson has assured the public that no additional threats exist, and authorities are working to provide clarity to the community.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Raleigh Police Department or submit tips anonymously.