What do investigators know about the shooting of Brian Thompson so far?
According to Kenny, the shooter—who has yet to be named or arrested—headed to the New York Hilton Midtown on foot and arrived outside the hotel five minutes before Thompson’s arrival.
In a video, Kenny continued, Thompson was seen walking alone towards the Hilton at 6:44 a.m. after exiting his separate, nearby hotel apparently for a UnitedHealth Group investors conference that was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. that day.
The chief detective added the shooter—who ignored “numerous other pedestrians”—approached Thompson from behind, shot him, walked towards him and continued shooting.
Kenny said the gunman then fled on foot before getting on an ebike, and the shooter was seen riding into Central Park at Center Drive at 6:48 a.m.
Kenny said three live nine-millimeter rounds and three discharged shell casings were recovered during the investigation. A senior New York City law enforcement official briefed on the investigation told NBC News Dec. 5 the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were written on the shell casings.
However, Kenny noted the motive for the killing is still unknown.
He added a cellphone was discovered in an alley where the shooter fled before walking on a sidewalk toward the ebike, but it’s unclear if it belonged to the gunman.
Kenny also said investigators are “looking at everything”—including Thompson’s social media and interviews with employees and family—that could help in the case. They’re also working with Minnesota and Atlanta law enforcement.
