Society
Social media reactions to shooting of Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO shot in New York
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot in what authorities are calling a “brazen targeted attack.” Some on social media think they know why.
The shocking news that UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot in midtown Manhattan as he crossed the street captured people’s attention on Wednesday. Many took to social media to comment on what authorities are calling a “brazen targeted attack.”
While some expressed words of condolence for the victim and gave their prayers for his family, others were less tactful pointing out the company’s record of denying claims. Yet others had an idea of why the CEO was gunned down just prior to speaking at UnitedHealthcare’s investor event that was to be held at the Hilton hotel in front of which Thompson was shot.
Social media reactions to shooting of Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO shot in Manhattan
Netizens are speculating that Thompson was murdered in order to silence him. Many were pointing to the fact that the CEO and UnitedHealthcare were under investigation by the Department of Justice. Last month the agency brought a lawsuit against Thompson and other executives reported the MailOnline.
He was accused of not telling investors about the federal probe while at the same time offloading over 30 percent of his shares in the company, raking in $15.1 million. Along with him executives unloaded roughly $117 million worth of stock in total over four months when public was not aware of the investigation.
The DOJ was also examining the company’s Medicare billing according to a Wall Street Journal article last February. The investigators were trying to determine if doctors mischaracterizing patients’ illnesses in order to get larger payments from the government program.
At a press conference on Wednesday morning, the New York Police Department commissioner, Jessica Tisch, said the attack was “premeditated, planned, targeted.” Joseph Kenny, chief of detectives, told reporters that the investigation into the shooting was still ongoing and that the motive was “unknown.”
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