Brian Thompson. Photo courtesy UnitedHealthcare.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, was shot and killed Wednesday morning outside the Hilton in midtown Manhattan, where he was set to address investors.

A manhunt is now underway for the gunman who police believe targeted Thompson in the shooting, although a motive remains unclear, according to the New York Times.

Thompson, a Minnesota resident, took the helm of UnitedHealth Group’s insurance division, one of the nation’s largest, in 2021.

He was walking into the hotel for UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor conference when he was shot in the chest by a masked man, who then fled on bicycle, CNN reported. Thompson was taken to Mount Sinai hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The investor conference was abruptly canceled after the shooting.

“We’re dealing with a very serious… situation,” UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty said, according to PIX11. “We’re going to have to bring to a close the event today… I apologize for bringing things to a close but I hope you’ll understand.”

UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest corporations in the country, with $372 billion in revenue last year.

New York police commissioner Jessica Tisch called the killing a “brazen targeted attack.”

“This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota,” Gov. Tim Walz posted on X.

Minnesota Reformer is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Minnesota Reformer maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor J. Patrick Coolican for questions: info@minnesotareformer.com. Follow Minnesota Reformer on Facebook and X.