The world basically froze for a second when the news broke on December 4, 2024. It felt like something out of a scripted thriller, but the grainy CCTV footage proved it was very, very real. Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was walking toward the New York Hilton Midtown for an investor meeting when a gunman emerged from the shadows.
Honestly, the video of UnitedHealthcare CEO shot is difficult to watch, not just because of the violence, but because of the cold, calculated nature of the hit. It wasn't a random mugging. It was an execution.
The Footage: A Minute-by-Minute Breakdown
If you've seen the clips released by the NYPD, you know they tell a chilling story of "lying in wait." The suspect didn't just stumble upon Thompson. He had been hanging around the area for quite a while.
Around 6:17 a.m., surveillance cameras caught a man—later identified by authorities as Luigi Mangione—at a Starbucks on 6th Avenue. He bought a coffee, a water bottle, and some granola bars. He paid in cash. He was wearing a mask, a grey backpack, and a dark jacket. This was roughly 30 minutes before the trigger was pulled.
By 6:40 a.m., Thompson left his own hotel, the Marriott, and started the short walk to the Hilton. He was alone. No security. No entourage. Just a guy in a blue suit walking to work.
The video of UnitedHealthcare CEO shot shows the suspect crossing the street the moment he spots Thompson. At 6:44 a.m., the gunman approaches from behind. He’s about 20 feet away when he raises a suppressed 9mm pistol.
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Then, the gun jams.
The "Delay, Deny, Depose" Message
This is where the video gets even more surreal. Instead of running away when the weapon failed, the shooter stayed calm. He manually cycled the action—basically "racking" the slide—to clear the jam. You can see him do this multiple times in the footage. It showed a level of proficiency that immediately suggested this wasn't his first time handling a firearm.
He fired at least three times. Thompson was hit in the back and the calf. He collapsed right there on the sidewalk of West 54th Street.
What really sent shockwaves through the country wasn't just the shooting itself, but the "Easter eggs" left behind. Investigators found shell casings at the scene with words inscribed in permanent marker:
- DELAY
- DENY
- DEPOSE
It was a clear, twisted play on the insurance industry mantra "Delay, Deny, Defend." It turned a high-profile murder into a manifesto-driven attack on the American healthcare system.
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The Manhunt and the McDonald’s Arrest
For five days, the shooter was the most wanted man in America. The NYPD released photos of his unmasked face from a hostel check-in, and the hunt went nationwide.
The story ended—or at least the first chapter did—in the most mundane place possible: an Altoona, Pennsylvania McDonald's. On December 9, a sharp-eyed bystander and local police recognized Mangione. He was sitting there with a fake ID, a 3D-printed "ghost gun," and a handwritten letter detailing his grievances against "parasitic" corporate greed.
The contrast is wild. One day he's a phantom in a high-tech Midtown hit; the next, he's a 26-year-old Ivy League grad getting arrested over a burger.
Where the Case Stands in 2026
We are now well into the legal fallout. As of January 2026, the courtroom drama is just as intense as the initial manhunt. Luigi Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both federal and state charges, including second-degree murder and interstate stalking.
Right now, the big fight is over the evidence. Mangione’s lawyers are trying to get the backpack evidence thrown out. They're arguing that the Altoona police searched his bag without a warrant before they officially had one. If the judge agrees, that "ghost gun" and the handwritten notes might never make it to a jury.
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There’s also a massive debate about the death penalty. Federal prosecutors have been pushing for it, while Mangione’s defense is arguing that his "stalking" charges shouldn't qualify as a crime of violence under certain federal statutes.
Why This Case Still Matters
It's not just about one man or one company. This event changed how corporate America operates.
- Executive Security: Following the shooting, major firms like Blue Cross Blue Shield and CVS scrubbed executive photos from their sites. CEO security budgets have since tripled.
- Public Sentiment: The "Free Luigi" movement that sprouted up—mostly from people frustrated with their own medical bills—showed a scary level of radicalization regarding healthcare.
- Ghost Guns: The use of a 3D-printed firearm and suppressor in such a high-profile crime accelerated the crackdown on "unserialized" weapon parts.
Actionable Steps for Staying Informed
If you are following the trial or concerned about the broader implications of this case, here is how to stay updated:
- Monitor the Federal Docket: The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York provides updates on the federal murder and stalking charges.
- Watch the Suppression Hearings: The outcome of the backpack search hearing (scheduled for early 2026) will determine if the most damning evidence is actually admissible.
- Check Local NYC Crime Data: If you're traveling to Midtown, the NYPD’s CompStat provides real-time safety updates for the 18th Precinct, where the shooting occurred.
- Review Insurance Policy Rights: Given the "Delay, Deny" theme of the attack, it's a good time to understand your own rights regarding claim appeals and the "Patient's Bill of Rights."
The video of UnitedHealthcare CEO shot remains a permanent, haunting part of the digital record. It serves as a reminder of how quickly a public space can turn into a crime scene and how deep-seated frustrations with a system can manifest in the most violent ways.