Law enforcement has arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, which occurred in New York City last Wednesday outside of a Manhattan hotel.
The suspect, who had a fake New Jersey ID, was stopped in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday. He was on a Greyhound bus before he walked into a McDonald’s in the morning, where he was recognized by an individual who alerted police. The man had in his possession a gun similar to the one used in Thompson’s murder, sources told ABC News.
New York Police Department detectives are en route to Pennsylvania where they are expected to question the suspect, whose recovered ID matches one used by the assassin hours before the shooting, authorities said. Police have obtained writings and a computer from the suspect.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the attack as “targeted” last week. The killer can be seen on a newly released video, captured shortly before the shooting happened around 7 a.m., waiting for Thompson. When Thompson appears on screen, walking down the street, the gunman runs across the street and shoots him from just a few feet away.
The shooter fled the scene by bike through Central Park after murdering Thompson. He taxied to a bus facility and eventually boarded a bus leaving New York City. The NYPD released an image over the weekend of the man in the back of a cab.
Authorities found the suspect’s backpack in Central Park on Saturday. In it was a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and Monopoly money, ABC News reported.
Thompson, 50, was a high-ranking official for one of the largest healthcare insurers, prompting some online to respond to his death with vulgar comments about privatized healthcare. Detectives discovered the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” on shell casings where Thompson was murdered, media outlets reported, which is a common phrase used by healthcare industry critics.
Law enforcement has received hundreds of tips about the shooter’s whereabouts since Wednesday and police say they are investigating two possible persons of interests.
The FBI is assisting New York authorities in the nationwide manhunt, which is now on its sixth day.