cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/22793020
Summary
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, was fatally shot in a premeditated attack outside the New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan. The gunman, still at large, fired at Thompson multiple times, striking him in the back and calf.
Shell casings found at the scene had the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” written on them, according to law enforcement. Despite known threats, Thompson did not have a security detail.
Surveillance footage shows the assailant ambushing Thompson from behind before fleeing. The motive remains unclear as investigations continue.
It’s a book reference: https://delaydenydefend.com/
Right. I’m thinking of the Boeing whistleblowers. That was a big news story and clearly a professional hit job but there’s still plausible deniability. Whereas when you shoot someone on the street in Manhattan, there is no question of it being a homicide. That plus the bullet casings points to the shooter wanting it to be a huge story. And if you’re hiring a hitman, you don’t want a huge police investigation. Obviously with a “suicide” there will be a death investigation but the way the shooter carried this out pretty much guaranteed FBI involvement. I would think hitmen on a corporate payroll would want to avoid that.