Crime
Video shows medics performing CPR on UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson after he fatally shot outside New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan
A video has surfaced showing medics performing CPR on UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson moments after he was fatally shot outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel.
The incident occurred at approximately 6:46 a.m. on Wednesday as Thompson, 50, was arriving at the New York Hilton Midtown for a scheduled conference.
According to police reports, a masked suspect, believed to have been lying in wait for Thompson, opened fire, striking him multiple times. The gunman then fled eastbound on 6th Avenue, evading capture.
Emergency responders rushed Thompson to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition, but despite lifesaving efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Authorities continue to investigate the targeted attack, which has sent shockwaves through the business community and beyond.
The incident occurred at approximately 6:46 a.m., just hours before an investor meeting scheduled to take place at the hotel.
Authorities report that a masked suspect fired at Thompson, striking him in the chest.
Emergency responders transported him to a hospital in critical condition, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.
The suspected gunman, described as wearing a cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, and black and white sneakers, fled the scene on a bicycle and remains at large.
Witness accounts indicate the suspect had been seen loitering in the area prior to the shooting.
According to sources, the assailant appeared to spot Thompson on the street before firing “from a distance.”
Thompson, a 20-year veteran of UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, was scheduled to speak at the investor meeting later that morning.
The company had commenced the event at 8:00 a.m., but it was abruptly halted following the tragic news.
“We’re dealing with a very serious situation,” an official reportedly announced to attendees. “We’re going to have to bring the event to a close… I hope you’ll understand.”
Thompson was appointed CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurance provider in the United States, in April 2021.
Throughout his career, he had overseen key divisions of the company, including Medicare and retirement programs.
As of now, law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. No motive has been confirmed, though preliminary reports suggest it may have been a targeted attack.
UnitedHealth Group has not yet issued a detailed statement regarding Thompson’s death but expressed condolences and support for his family and colleagues. The incident has left the healthcare industry and corporate community in shock.
Crime
Security guard Yahaira Melendez charged with murder after shooting inside IHOP restaurant in Center City Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, PA — A security guard has been arrested and charged with murder following a fatal shooting at a Center City IHOP over the weekend that left a 43-year-old man dead.
The incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on Saturday at the IHOP located in the 1300 block of Walnut Street, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
When officers arrived, they discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim, who police say was unhoused, was transported to Jefferson Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Investigators report that the victim had been causing a disturbance inside the restaurant prior to the shooting. As security personnel escorted him outside, he allegedly turned and spat on one of the guards.
That guard, identified as 38-year-old Yahaira Melendez, allegedly responded by drawing her firearm and shooting the victim once in the head.
Police say preliminary findings indicate the victim was not armed at the time of the incident.
Melendez, a mother of three, was taken into custody and has been charged with murder and related offenses.
In a statement Melendez’s family expressed shock and disbelief over the situation, writing in part:
“We are shocked and devastated by the tragic events that occurred at the IHOP while she was working security. We know she would never harm anyone unless she felt she had no other choice to protect herself or others.”
The shooting has left nearby workers and residents shaken.
“Escalation — where was the escalation?” asked Karr Anderson, who works next door to the restaurant. “Security guards need to know how to withhold, how to show restraint.”
Philadelphia Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether proper security protocols were followed and what led to the use of deadly force.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased pending family notification.