The manhunt for the suspect involved in the deadly shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson is expanding beyond New York City, authorities announced on Friday. Investigators believe the person of interest may have left the city on a bus.
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CBS News reported that investigators discovered a backpack in Central Park, which is believed to belong to the gunman. The New York Police Department (NYPD) is thoroughly analyzing the contents of the backpack to determine a connection to the suspect accused of fatally shooting Thompson outside the Hilton Midtown hotel on December 4. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny mentioned during a press conference that the suspect was last seen getting into a taxi heading to 178th Street and Broadway, near the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Surveillance footage captured the individual walking through the terminal, and investigators believe he boarded an interstate bus traveling to Atlanta.
More details revealed that he reportedly traveled from Atlanta to New York City days before the shooting on a bus and used a fake ID to check in Hostelling International New York City. Surveillance images released by the NYPD show him speaking with a woman at the hostel’s front desk, a moment where his mask was lowered.
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Authorities are currently investigating leads in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Georgia, with assistance from the Atlanta Police Department. Port Authority police are collaborating with Greyhound to trace the suspect’s travel history, specifically looking into whether he provided identification when purchasing bus tickets.
Thompson was fatally shot in what police believe to be a targeted attack and the suspected was captured on surveillance footage before fleeing to Central Park, where the backpack was later discarded.
