EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockNew York Metropolis cops are utilizing facial recognition know-how and a discarded cellular phone to determine the person who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare chief govt Brian Thompson Wednesday morning.
Thompson, 50, was fatally shot within the again simply earlier than 07:00 EST (12:00 GMT) exterior the Hilton Lodge in Midtown Manhattan.
The attacker fled the scene with out taking any of Thompson’s belongings. Police imagine he was focused in a pre-planned killing.
Here is what we all know concerning the suspect and the investigation.
How did the capturing and escape occur?
The capturing happened at about 06:45 EST (11:45 GMT) in a busy a part of Manhattan near Instances Sq. and Central Park. Thompson had been scheduled to talk at an investor convention later within the day.
In accordance with police, the suspect – who was clad in a black face masks and cream jacket – gave the impression to be ready for Thompson for 5 minutes exterior the Hilton lodge the place he was anticipated to talk.
Thompson, who arrived on foot, was shot within the again and leg, and later was pronounced lifeless at an area hospital.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny have revealed that the suspect’s weapon appeared to malfunction, however that he was in a position to rapidly repair it and proceed capturing.
Video exhibits him fleeing the scene on foot; he was final noticed in Central Park on an electrical bicycle
NYPDThe investigation
To date, the investigation into Thompson’s killing has centred on just a few clues that police are utilizing to determine the suspect.
Police revealed the suspect was photographed at a close-by Starbucks simply minutes earlier than the capturing.
Whereas he’s masked within the picture, police sources informed CBS, the BBC’s US associate, that the masks is pulled down far sufficient in order that his eyes and a part of his nostril will be seen.
With that, investigators are utilizing facial recognition software program to attempt to discover a match.
Moreover, police are testing three bullet casings and three stay rounds discovered on the scene for DNA.
A cellular phone was found in an alley alongside the suspect’s escape route. Police say they’re “working via” the telephone.
Investigators additionally stated they’d search Thompson’s room on the close by Marriott, which is down the road from the place the incident happened.
Motive stays a thriller
Investigators have to date not recognized a motive within the killing, though police did observe that the assailant fled with out taking any of Thompson’s belongings.
In an interview with MSNBC, Thompson’s spouse stated that there had “been some threats” towards him earlier, though she was unable to supply particulars.
“I simply know that he stated there have been some those that had been threatening him,” she stated.
In accordance with police in Thompson’s hometown of Maple Grove, Minnesota, there had beforehand been one suspicious incident at his residence in 2018.
The incident was cleared with no prison exercise detected. No further particulars had been offered.
