UnitedHealthcare CEO’s latest shooting: NYPD detectives follow leads to Atlanta

NYPD detectives arrived in Atlanta on Saturday following a large number of tips related to the as-yet-unidentified suspect wanted in the Wednesday shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York, sources told ABC News.

The Atlanta Police Department confirmed the arrival of the team from New York, but declined to provide further details.

The suspect reportedly arrived in New York on Nov. 24 on a Greyhound bus that left Atlanta, although it is unclear exactly when he may have boarded. Sources told ABC News that he was seen on board in Washington, DC

The masked gunman shot Thompson at point-blank range at 6:44 a.m. on Dec. 4 outside the Hilton Midtown hotel in New York, where Thompson’s company was holding an investor conference. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the attack as “brazen” and “targeted.”

Police learned the suspect took a taxi to the Port Authority bus facility on 178th Street and boarded a bus that left New York after the shooting, according to police.

The NYPD believes it is making good progress in identifying the shooter, but so far has not done so, sources told ABC News. Late Saturday, the NYPD released new footage of the alleged shooter in what appeared to be the back of a taxi. No more context was given.

The suspect is believed to have boarded a bus leaving the city, which made six or seven stops, police sources said. Investigators followed leads in several states, the sources said.

The FBI is assisting the manhunt nationwide, according to law enforcement sources.

Investigators continue to search New York — where the suspect is believed to have spent the 10 days before the shooting — for evidence.

The NYPD recovered a backpack that allegedly belonged to the suspect Friday night. The bag contained just two items — a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and Monopoly money — sources familiar with the ongoing investigation told ABC News on Saturday.

On Saturday, officers searched a pond near the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. Police divers were involved in the search for evidence. It’s unclear if officers recovered anything from the water.

Investigators believe they have secured DNA samples from several pieces of evidence discovered at or near the crime scene, law enforcement sources told ABC News.

The DNA samples are currently at the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to be run through databases for a possible match — a process that could take several days, the sources said.

Police were also able to extract a fingerprint from a bottle of water the suspect bought at a Starbucks. The printout is stained, so it’s unclear whether it will be helpful to the investigation, the sources said.

Police have yet to recover the distinctive gun used in the shootings.

“The shooter then moves toward the victim and continues to shoot,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. “The gun appears to be malfunctioning as he clears the jam and starts firing again.”

The words “deny”, “defend” and “impeach” were written on the shell casings, according to police sources.

The words on the bullets echo the title of the 2010 book Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It. Police are aware of the similarity and are investigating whether anger at the insurance industry is a possible motive, sources said.

Centene, a major health insurer, said it would hold a planned in-person investor day next week in New York City virtually, according to a statement Friday citing Thompson’s killing.

“All of us at Centene are deeply saddened by the death of Brian Thompson and want to express our support for all those affected,” said Centene Chief Executive Officer Sarah M. London.

“He was a person with a deep sense of empathy and a clear passion for improving access to care,” added London. “Our hearts go out to his family and colleagues at this difficult time.”