# UnitedHealthcare CEO fatally shot in Manhattan \[breaking news: 2024-12-04\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** breaking-news\ **Created:** [December 4, 2024, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159 "2024-12-04T16:11:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/323 "2024-12-06T20:33:44Z")
> [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](#): > > Delay > Deny > Defenestrate That won’t fit on the bullets. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/324 "2024-12-06T20:51:26Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > That won’t fit on the bullets. It will in the original Russian. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/325 "2024-12-06T21:03:20Z")
CNN is reporting that NYPD believes that the shooter has left the city which rules out the Santa theory. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/326 "2024-12-06T21:04:25Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > I’m trying to understand why this guy would still be anywhere near NYC, even possibly out of the country. It has been long enough they could easily have hopped a plane to somewhere far away. Or, given the proximity to the border, crossed into Canada (perhaps using his own identity) and gotten on a plane there and is now off the continent entirely. Sure, it’s a little far on a bike (especially in winter) but not _that_ far. ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/327 "2024-12-06T21:16:38Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > ‘bellhop’ (not the right word?) redcap ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/328 "2024-12-06T21:30:13Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Sure, it’s a little far on a bike (especially in winter) but not _that_ far. He would need a passport, and an airline ticket, and would have to go through Canada Customs at a land crossing, and then get to Toronto or Montreal, which are quite a distance from land crossings from New York state into Ontario. And Canada Customs would be on the outlook for a guy on a bike, based on the publicity around this case. There are also inter-jurisdictional cooperation agreements, so the US authorities no doubt would have shared as many images as they have with Canadian authorities, including Customs. Far better to stay in the US, likely in a big city, where he wouldn’t have to engage with any law enforcement officers if he kept a low profile. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/329 "2024-12-06T21:38:54Z")
The assailant is a planner. I think it’s likely he knew exactly where he was headed after the shooting. He was in the city for 10 days before the attack; it wouldn’t come as a surprise if it turns out he had a car stashed on the upper west side. I’d like to know how he knew where Thompson would be, and when. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/330 "2024-12-06T21:43:21Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > it wouldn’t come as a surprise if it turns out he had a car stashed on the upper west side. And have to go move it to the opposite side of the street every day or so or risk losing it? ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/331 "2024-12-06T21:44:06Z")
Thus my caveat about Guthrie’s idealized notion of Floyd, like those of Robin Hood and Jesse James. It is the power and longevity of the myth that is interesting, not the lack 9f historical accuracy. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/332 "2024-12-06T21:45:52Z")
I don’t think that’s what he did but there are areas in NYC that don’t have alternate side of the street parking restrictions. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/333 "2024-12-06T21:45:55Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > I’d like to know how he knew where Thompson would be, and when. Loosely, it was a scheduled investor meeting, public information. That the CEO would be there would have been assumed. I don’t know how the shooter knew that the CEO wasn’t staying at the hotel the meeting was held in, but he apparently had several day to watch the route or snoop around. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/334 "2024-12-06T21:52:44Z")
In which case there is likely a shed load of video of him doing so. Hmm. Interesting. j ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/335 "2024-12-06T21:55:29Z")
If he can fake a driver’s license, he can fake a handicap parking permit. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/336 "2024-12-06T21:55:48Z")
> [@F.U.Shakespeare](#): > > redcap ‘bellhop’ (not the right word?)" Thanks, I was having a senior moment trying to recall the term. Red Cap - smack forehead - but not too hard. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/337 "2024-12-06T21:56:54Z")
I look forward to reading his “Why I’m Leaving New York” essay. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/338 "2024-12-06T22:07:32Z")
> [@Kropotkin](#): > > Thus my caveat about Guthrie’s idealized notion of Floyd, like those of Robin Hood and Jesse James. It is the power and longevity of the myth that is interesting, not the lack 9f historical accuracy. Fair, but I think my point is worth making, nonetheless. Fight the hypothetical! ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/339 "2024-12-06T22:09:51Z")
So forget the car…maybe. The [cops are saying](https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/06/us/video/new-york-city-manhunt-unitedhealthcare-ceo-killing-shimon-prokupecz-intv-digvid) he biked through Central Park, dumping his backpack (which they haven’t found) and exited the park on the west side, in the 70s. He was then spotted around 86th and Columbus without the bike, and he subsequently hopped in a cab, taking him up to Broadway and 178th street (near the George Washington Bridge.) Apparently, there is a transit hub there with buses headed all over the place. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/340 "2024-12-06T22:39:11Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > then failed to develop a good E&E plan What?? He seems to have successfully E’d and E’d for two days and no sign of that changing. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/341 "2024-12-06T23:00:50Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > He would need a passport, and an airline ticket, and would have to go through Canada Customs at a land crossing, So? Remember, the first night no one had a good idea what he looked like, and he used fake ID in NYC. If he had some sort of get-away car, or rented one with his actual ID and crossed over that night or early the next day with, again, no one knowing what he really looked like or who he was and using a valid passport… I think it could be done. Was it? Damifino. Or he took a bus out of the NYC area and rented a car wherever he wound up and then crossed over. Once he’s in Canada, with a car (presumably) he can just drive to Toronto or Montreal. Possible. Or he drove to another US state. Maybe he’s headed for Mexico. > [@needscoffee](#): > > And have to go move it to the opposite side of the street every day or so or risk losing it? That doesn’t take much time - what else was he doing anyway? Flirting with a girl? Walking the streets around the hotel? It’s not like he had to be at a regular job during the day (or night). ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2024, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159/342 "2024-12-06T23:07:03Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Broadway and 178th street (near the George Washington Bridge.) Apparently, there is a transit hub there with buses headed all over the place. That’s the Port Authority / George Washington Bridge bus terminal. According to the list of buses, apart from NJ Transit to Newark airport and Greyhound to Boston or DC, there’s a line called OurBus that goes to Niagara Falls and then on to Canada (it says Scarborough, which is a Toronto suburb). Click on **+ Bus Gates and Routes** for the list: [https://www.panynj.gov/bus-terminals/en/george-washington.html](https://www.panynj.gov/bus-terminals/en/george-washington.html) I wonder if they have security cam footage of him at the bus terminal? And I guess the guy’s regular “day” job at the time was checking out the Hilton and the hotel where Thompson was staying - was it the Warwick across the street or the Sheraton around the corner? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealthcare-ceo-fatally-shot-in-manhattan-breaking-news-2024-12-04/1011159.md?page=18)