ATL Link To Gunman In UnitedHealth CEO New York Slaying Investigated

ATLANTA, GA — Atlanta Police are assisting in the shooting death probe of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson after the accused gunman rode a Greyhound bus that departed from Atlanta.

Police said New York authorities remain lead investigators in the probe and that they could not release further details. New York officials have called the fatal shooting a targeted attack.

Thompson died in a shooting Wednesday while at Hilton Club The Residences in Midtown, New York. A suspect remains at large.

The accused shooter took a Greyhound from Atlanta to Manhattan, New York on Nov. 24, the New York Post reported. The accused gunman's ties to Atlanta are unknown.

The unnamed suspect was reportedly in and out of the HI New York City Hostel on the Upper West Side – Amsterdam Avenue between West 103rd and 104th streets – before “stak[ing] out” the Hilton Hotel in Midtown. About 10 days later, the suspect was accused of fatally shooting Thompson.

The suspect was believed to have used a fake New Jersey ID to check into the hostel. Although police have collected video of the suspect throughout the city, he paid with cash and kept his mask on, excluding the time he removed it to flirt with a woman who wanted to see his smile, according to ABC News.

Authorities believe the accused shooter used a firearm equipped with a silencer. The suspect reportedly ditched a burner phone – a cheap prepaid mobile phone – before zigzagging by foot through Midtown and eventually riding an e-bike into Central Park.

In all, it appears the time between the deadly shooting and the suspect's disappearance into the park was 3-4 minutes.

Three bullets found at the scene had the words “defend,” “depose” and “deny” on them, according to multiple reports.

Thompson had been receiving threats seemingly connected to UnitedHealth’s business practices, his wife Paulette told NBC News.

On Thursday, UnitedHealth released the following statement:

While our hearts are broken, we have been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place.

So many patients, consumers, health care professionals, associations, government officials and other caring people have taken time out of their day to reach out. We are thankful, even as we grieve.

Our priorities are, first and foremost, supporting Brian’s family; ensuring the safety of our employees; and working with law enforcement to bring the perpetrator to justice.

We, at UnitedHealth Group, will continue to be there for those who depend upon us for their health care. We ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy as they mourn the loss of their husband, father, brother, and friend.