Because the investigation right into a masked gunman who stalked and killed the top of one of many largest U.S. well being insurers moved into its third day Friday, doable leads emerged about his journey earlier than the capturing and a message scrawled on ammunition discovered on the crime scene.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed in a daybreak ambush Wednesday as he walked from his midtown lodge to the corporate’s annual investor convention throughout the road, blocks from vacationer attracts similar to Radio Metropolis Music Corridor and Rockefeller Middle.

However days later, the gunman was nonetheless at giant and the rationale for the killing remained unknown, with New York Metropolis police saying proof firmly factors to it being a focused assault.

Investigators labored to piece collectively extra of the timeline of the gunman’s whereabouts earlier than the capturing, study safety digital camera footage and even check a discarded water bottle and protein bar wrapper in a hunt for his DNA.

The phrases “deny,” “defend” and “depose” have been discovered emblazoned on the ammunition, echoing a phrase utilized by insurance coverage business critics, two legislation enforcement officers mentioned Thursday, talking to The Related Press on the situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to publicly talk about particulars of the investigation.

The messages mimic the phrase “delay, deny, defend,” which is often utilized by attorneys and insurance coverage business critics to explain techniques used to keep away from paying claims. It refers to insurers delaying fee, denying a declare after which defending their actions. Well being insurers like UnitedHealthcare have grow to be frequent targets of criticism from medical doctors and sufferers for denying claims or complicating entry to care.

Investigators additionally now imagine the suspect could have traveled to New York final month on a bus that originated in Atlanta, one of many legislation enforcement officers mentioned.

Police and federal brokers have been gathering info from Greyhound in an try to establish the suspect and are working to find out whether or not he bought the ticket to New York in late November, the official mentioned.

Investigators have been additionally attempting to acquire further info from a cellphone recovered from a pedestrian plaza via which the shooter fled.

A tip that the shooter could have stayed at a hostel introduced police Thursday morning to no less than two such institutions on Manhattan’s Higher West Facet, in accordance with one of many legislation enforcement officers briefed on the investigation. The images made public Thursday have been taken within the foyer of the HI New York Metropolis hostel.

“We’re totally cooperating with the NYPD and, as that is an lively investigation, can’t remark right now,” hostel spokesperson Danielle Brumfitt mentioned in an emailed assertion.

Police launched new images Thursday of an individual wished for questioning in reference to Thompson’s killing.

The pictures, displaying an unmasked man smiling within the foyer of a Manhattan hostel, add to a group of images and video which have circulated for the reason that capturing — together with footage of the assault itself, in addition to nonetheless frames of the suspected gunman stopping at a Starbucks beforehand.

Investigators imagine the suspect used a pretend New Jersey identification card when he checked in on the hostel, mentioned one of many officers who spoke with the AP.

Staff who work on the hostel advised investigators they remembered a person who virtually all the time wore a masks when interacting with them or passing by the entrance desk. That particular person wore a jacket that regarded just like the one worn by the person pictured in surveillance pictures launched after the capturing, the official mentioned.

After the capturing, police mentioned the gunman fled on a bicycle and was final seen driving into Central Park.

Primarily based on surveillance video and proof from the scene, investigators imagine the shooter had no less than some firearms coaching and expertise with weapons and that the weapon was outfitted with a silencer, one of many legislation enforcement officers advised the AP.

Investigators have been additionally wanting into whether or not the suspect had pre-positioned a motorbike as a part of an escape plan, the official mentioned.

Safety video exhibits the killer approaching Thompson from behind, leveling his pistol and firing a number of photographs, barely pausing to clear a gun jam whereas the chief tumbled to the sidewalk. Cameras confirmed him fleeing the block throughout a pedestrian plaza earlier than getting on the bicycle.

Police launched a number of pictures of the person carrying a hooded jacket and a masks that hid most of his face — a glance that will not have attracted consideration on a cold morning.

Thompson, a father of two sons who lived in a Minneapolis suburb, had been with Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and served as CEO for greater than three years.

His spouse, Paulette, advised NBC Information on Wednesday that he advised her “there have been some people who had been threatening him.” She didn’t have particulars however recommended the threats could have concerned points with insurance coverage protection.

The insurer’s father or mother firm, UnitedHealth Group Inc., was holding its annual assembly in New York to replace buyers on its route and expectations for the approaching yr. The corporate ended the convention after Thompson’s dying.

UnitedHealthcare offers protection for greater than 49 million Individuals and introduced in additional than $281 billion in income final yr. It’s the largest supplier of Medicare Benefit plans within the U.S. and manages medical health insurance protection for employers and state and federally funded Medicaid packages.

In October, UnitedHealthcare was named together with Humana and CVS in a Senate report detailing how its denial charge for prior authorizations for some Medicare Benefit sufferers has surged lately.

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Balsamo reported from Washington.