Police have released images of a smiling suspected gunman who they believe to be responsible for the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a New York hotel earlier this week.
The photos released by the New York Police Department Thursday show the alleged shooter unmasked, with a grin on his face, wearing a light brown jacket with the hood pulled over his head.
Thompson, 50, was in New York City for the company's annual investors meeting when he was shot in the back and leg by a masked gunman Wednesday morning outside New York Hilton Midtown, police said.
He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Police said it "appeared the suspect was lying in wait" for at least five minutes before he approached the victim and fired off several rounds.
"Every indication is that this was a premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack," NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters at a press briefing following the deadly incident.
The shooter "approaches the victim from behind and shoots him in the back. The shooter then walks forward the victim, and continues to shoot. It appears that the gun malfunctions as he clears the jam and begins to fire again," Chief Joseph Kenny added, citing surveillance footage.
The suspect fled on foot northbound into an alleyway, where he appeared to hop onto an e-bike. A cell phone recovered in the alley has been collected as part of the investigation, said Kenny.
Police described the suspect as a light-skinned male, last seen wearing a light brown or cream colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers and a "very distinctive" gray backpack.
A $10,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information leading to an arrest.
