Tim Walz responds to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has responded to the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Walz, 60, responded with X to the “terrible news” that Thompson, 50, had been shot in New York City.

“This is terrible news and a terrible loss for the economy and health care in Minnesota,” he wrote on X. “Minnesota sends our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team.”

The largest health insurance company in the United States is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Walz – who recently joined Kamala Harris’ bid for vice president – was pictured with the CEO in 2022.

The CEO of America’s largest health insurance company was shot dead by a masked assailant just before 7 a.m. Wednesday outside the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan.

Thompson was fatally shot in the chest in a targeted attack by a masked man who then fled down 6th Avenue and is wanted by police, witnesses said.

The suspect is at large and is described as a white male wearing a cream jacket, black face mask, black and white sneakers and carrying a gray backpack.

Witnesses said the suspected gunman was seen waiting outside the hotel before the shooting and knew which door Thompson was coming out of before shooting him at close range.

Walz, 60, responded with X to the “terrible news” that Thompson had been shot in New York City

The largest health insurance company in the United States is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Walz – who recently joined Kamala Harris’ bid for vice president – was pictured with the CEO in 2022

Thompson, 50, was fatally shot in the chest in a possibly targeted attack by a masked man who then fled down 6th Avenue and is wanted by police

The CEO was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead.

Witness Amar Abdelmula, a driver, told PIX11: “I wasn’t paying attention and then I heard the shot.” It was a silent gun, a black gun that saw him after he shot him, and about the Street ran. I tried to take a photo but too far away, not clear.

“I was shocked. “For the first time I see a crime in front of me,” he added. “I was afraid he would shoot me too, my car, I saw everything.”

A large police presence arrived at the scene near W. 54th St. and 6th Avenue on Wednesday morning. The NYPD has not yet released a motive.

Hilton Hotel staff remained tight-lipped after the shooting and refused to speak to reporters about the horrors of that morning.

Officials said hours after the shooting that they had made no arrests and the investigation was ongoing.

Andrew Witty, CEO of parent company United Healthgroup, reportedly abandoned a meeting at the Hilton Hotel shortly after 8 a.m. when he learned of the shooting.

He told attendees: “We are dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members. “So I’m afraid we will have to bring the event to a close.”

The CEO was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead

Thompson is survived by his wife, Paulette “Pauley” Thompson, 51, and their two children, who live in the family’s $1.5 million home in Maple Grove, Minnesota

Thompson was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare in 2021, reportedly earning $10 million per year. Previously, he led the Medicare business within UnitedHealthcare for several years.

Shortly after the shooting, he was scheduled to speak at an investor meeting at the Hilton Hotel. He would announce the company’s highly profitable financial outlook for 2025, including expected revenue of over $450 billion, according to a press release from United Healthcare on Tuesday.

United is the largest health insurer in America in terms of market share. The company has repeatedly been the subject of protests from activists over alleged systematic denial of patient care.

One such protest earlier this year resulted in the arrest of 11 people outside United Healthcare’s headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

The company made headlines in February after it fell victim to a cyberattack that cost $872 million.

Thompson is survived by his wife, Paulette “Pauley” Thompson, 51, and their two children, who live in the family’s $1.5 million home in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

Mother of two Pauley is a practicing physical therapist for Park Nicollet Health Services with over 20 years of experience.