United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot dead Wednesday morning in New York City in what police are calling a targeted attack.

A masked man allegedly waiting for Thompson, 50, fired repeatedly at the high-profile insurance company CEO as he exited the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan around 6:46 a.m, the New York Post reported.

Thompson was struck by gunfire in the chest, according to the outlet. He was rushed to Mt Sinai Hospital in critical condition where police said he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

JUST IN 🚨

UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot outside the Manhattan Hilton Hotel in New York City.

Suspect is on the run. pic.twitter.com/oTp58cqBcP

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) December 4, 2024

The unidentified suspect fled the scene, police told the New York Post, which was the first outlet to identify Thompson as the victim. He reportedly bolted down an alleyway, jumped on a bike and rode away. (RELATED: Insurance Titans Are Suddenly Fleeing California. Here’s Why)

Witnesses told the outlet the suspect was seen loitering near the hotel. He was described as a white male wearing a black face mask. Officials said he wore a cream-colored jacket, black and white sneakers and a gray backpack.

New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers attempted to revive Thompson by performing chest compressions on his body, video from Fox 5 shows.

Thompson was expected to attend the annual Investor Conference 2024, Andrew Witty, CEO of parent company UnitedHealth Group, confirmed to the outlet.

The conference was cancelled due to “a very serious medical situation” involving one of its employees, Witty announced in a statement. An investigation is ongoing.

NYPD held a press conference before noon confirming Thompson was found in front of the hotel with gunshot wounds in the leg and the back. He was pronounced dead at 7:10 a.m.

The shooter arrived five minutes before Thompson, NYC Police Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said, and fled on a city e-bike after firing. Three live 9-mm rounds and 3 discharged 9-mm shell casings were found at the scene. A cellphone was recovered in the alleyway.

“I want to be clear. At this time, every indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack,” NYC Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.

🚨 NYPD press conference on the targeted shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan early Wednesday pic.twitter.com/7dphMygoDW

— Julianna Frieman (@JuliannaFrieman) December 4, 2024

NYPD officials assured the public the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting would be protected by law enforcement. The reward for finding Thompson’s killer was increased to $10,000.

Thompson did not appear to have his own security, nor was he leaving the hotel with anyone, NYPD officials said.

Thompson’s career at UnitedHealthcare spans 20 years. He took the helm as CEO in 2021, working from the company’s office in Minnetonka, Minnesota, according to his LinkedIn account.

AARP, a valued business partner of UnitedHealthcare, issued a statement on Thompson’s murder in internal communications to employees.

“AARP is deeply saddened to learn of the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was the victim of a shooting in New York City this morning,” the statement read. “UnitedHealthcare is a valued partner to AARP and many employees worked closely with Brian in support of our mission. Our hearts go out to his family and his UnitedHealthcare colleagues during this difficult time.”