Important note! This paper discusses murder and death.
Reader’s discussion is advised.
Please read with care!
United Healthcare CEO Association
Skyler Dunphy
On Thursday, December 4th, 2024, the CEO of United Healthcare was assassinated. What happened? On the night of December 4th, 2024, a masked gunman stalked and killed Brian Thompson, who was the CEO of United Healthcare. There is a lot to unpack, as there is some controversy with the American Healthcare system. In the following paragraphs, I will discuss who killed Brian Thompson. Next, I will break down what the police are doing to try to solve this murder. Finally, I will conclude with what could have prompted the murder of Brian Thompson.
While the identity of Brian Thompson’s killer remains unknown as of 12/6/24, the killer has done something that will hopefully lead to his arrest. Officials state that they do not think the killer was experienced. The reasoning is that the killer bought some candy bars before the murder took place and then left them at the scene of the crime. In addition, a phone was left there that local police had deemed the suspect’s phone. Finally, the suspect took off his mask to flirt with the cashier at the store where he bought the candy bars. This action exposed his face to a camera. There were approximately three rounds fired at Mr. Thompson: the three bullets had these three messages on them. “Deny, defend, and depose.” “ “These words” were written in permanent marker, according to one of the two officials, who was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation he spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.”
According to two law enforcement officials. These three sayings are considered American healthcare’s motto; however, that is just speculation. “Police and federal agents have been collecting information from Greyhound to identify the suspect and are working to determine if he purchased the ticket to New York in late November, the official said. Police have also released new photos Thursday of a person wanted for questioning in connection with Thompson’s killing. The images, showing an unmasked man smiling in the lobby of a Manhattan hostel, add to a collection of photos and video that have circulated since the shooting — including footage of the attack itself, as well as frames of the suspected gunman, stopping at a Starbucks beforehand. This news/information came from The Associated Press.
**UPDATE** The killer has been found! On December 9th, 2024, 911 dispatch got a call from a McDonalds worker; he claimed that someone was eating there who matched the description of Brian Tompson’s killer. When police showed up and questioned the man, they found a gun and a silencer. The gun was what is considered a ‘ghost gun,’ according to the Apple News Today podcast. A ghost gun is a gun that cannot be traced. In addition, the gun is believed to be 3-D printed. The suspect’s name is Luigi Mangione. Officials have stated that they believe Luigi had a family member who United Healthcare denied for a procedure. Currently, Luigi is under investigation.
According to the New Yorker, “The jokes came streaming in on every social media platform, in the comments underneath every news article.” “I’m sorry, prior authorization is required for thoughts and prayers,” someone commented on TikTok, a response that got more than fifteen thousand likes. “Does he have a history of shootings?” Another person wrote under an Instagram post from CNN. “To most Americans, a company like UnitedHealth represents less the provision of medical care than an active obstacle to receiving it.” These insults were directed more towards United Healthcare itself.”Than…” You can’t leave it hanging like that.
Sources
Basu, Shumita. How Police Found the Suspect in the United Healthcare Shooting. Apple News Today, 10 Dec. 2024, podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apple-news-today/id1473872585?i=1000679869547. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.
Hammond, Elise, and Lauren Mascarenhas. “Police Questioning Man in Connection with UnitedHealthcare CEO’s Killing.” CNN, 9 Dec. 2024, www.cnn.com/us/live-news/brian-thompson-unitedhealthcare-death-investigation-12-9-24/index.html. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.
Inside Edition. “Messages Found on Casings in UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting.” YouTube, 5 Dec. 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrvmLTvBCzY. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.
OFFENHARTZ, JAKE, et al. “UnitedHealthcare CEO Gunman Left Message on Ammunition: AP Source.” AP News, 5 Dec. 2024, apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-manhattan-shooting-death-7f6581ba6b0b520938d82c361e77a83c. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.
Stallone, Michael. “What We Know about the Suspect in the CEO Ambush Killing.” FOX 5 New York, 6 Dec. 2024, www.fox5ny.com/news/nyc-unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-murder-midtown-shooting-suspect. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.
Tolentino, Jia. “What the Murder of the UnitedHealthcare C.E.O. Means to America.” The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024, www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/what-the-murder-of-the-unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-means-to-america. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.
Wendling, Mike. “CEO Brian Thompson’s Killing Exposes Simmering Anger at US Health System.” BBC, 7 Dec. 2024, www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2eeeep0npo. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.
WRAL. “Security Firm Breaks down How Security Works for CEOs: Brian Thompson Killed in New York Ambush.” YouTube, 5 Dec. 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fU4CFjUN3U. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.