The Manhattan shooting of Brian Thompson, CEO of United Healthcare

[DaveBrown74]

First and foremost, this story is terrible. The man who was gunned down in the middle of Manhattan was a husband and father of two boys. On a human level, it is a gut-wrenching story.

It is also a fascinating story, and it has captivated the nation. Apart from a couple of glimpses of his face and some details about his movements before and immediately after the shooting, we know little about the shooter. No doubt the authorities know more than the public, but we are, as of now, some 57 hours since the shooting at the time of this writing, and no arrest has been made nor has there been any release of the suspect's name.

It seems the suspect likely raced to the Port Authority bus terminal after the shooting, got on a bus, and left NYC. According to reports, it is not known what bus he got on or where he is. 

It is also not clear whether this shooter was a hired professional or a lone wolf with a beef. The shell casings had words on them suggesting he was sending a message of disgruntlement with unpaid medical claims, but that of course does not preclude that another party is involved. The shooter exhibited poise and skill with the firearm that made him look like more than your average angry citizen who went out and bought again, but he was also a little sloppy in removing his mask at the hostel at which he was staying in order to flirt with a female employee, and I think he left behind a water bottle and half-eaten protein bar, potentially leaving his DNA.

Do you think this shooter was acting alone? Do you expect him to be caught, and if so, how soon? Does the fact that the victim was facing a justice department probe have anything to do with his death?

What other thoughts and theories do you have?

[T200]

Too many unknowns at this point for me to speculate.

There's no justification for killing someone like that. None.

All the details will come out in time but it's unfortunate the amount of backlash that the victim, and more so, UHC, are receiving, while the shooter is being praised by a lot of people.

Bizarro world.

[Sem]

I'm pretty much in the middle of a self imposed news blackout, but I did hear of this shooting as I'm insured by UHC. Are there people actually praising the cold blooded killing by this assassin? Disgusting!!

[DaveBrown74]

It goes without saying that there is no justification. Anyone who thinks this is cool and is rooting for this shooter to get away with this is sick and amoral.

[LennG]

 It is like watching a new series on Netflix or something like that. I think people have watched too many of these and that's why they are rooting for the 'anti-establishment guy' to get away with it. How many series have we seen like this already? In fact, I am watching Day of the Jackal right now, and in a way, similar, where the killer is a hired assassin, ready to kill anyone for the right price, no matter how hard it is, and you know what If find myself rooting for him. Boy are we all sickos. 

Today they found the backpack with loads of monopoly money in it. WTF is that.

[Jolly Blue Giant]

Two things:

1) he'll get caught. He left too many clues behind. Mayor Adams said in this morning news that they know his name. He's toast

2) I suspect he was disgruntled after someone close to him was denied their rightful settlement...perhaps a family member died because of it 

Not that it justifies murder, but:

[Ed Vette]

An Ivy school Graduate in Engineering, Prep schools, and he's stupid enough to be carrying the murder weapon, show his face and carry incriminating evidence.

Did he pick this target for a reason?

[DaveBrown74]

An Ivy school Graduate in Engineering, Prep schools, and he's stupid enough to be carrying the murder weapon, show his face and carry incriminating evidence.

Did he pick this target for a reason?

Also a supposedly ardent "anti-capitalist" who frequents place like McDonalds and Starbucks.

Riiight, buddy. Got it.

[Ed Vette]

Also a supposedly ardent "anti-capitalist" who frequents place like McDonalds and Starbucks.

Riiight, buddy. Got it.

Exactly

[Jolly Blue Giant]

Supposedly, he also had gone through traumatic back issues and I suspect, his health insurance decided not to cover the cost (that's my speculation)

As to why he still had the gun and carried a manifesto probably had to do with his high intelligence, believing that he was too smart to get caught. As to the manifesto, perhaps that was a backup statement to be left to the public in the rare chance he did get caught. Regardless, he left enough bread crumbs for the detectives to follow, that Barney Fife could have figured it out. His actions tell me he is a highly intelligent idiot. I knew a lot of them in college - idealistic beliefs without a lick of common sense

[uconnjack8]

Here is part of a note or a manifesto he left/had with hom

[DaveBrown74]

Supposedly, he also had gone through traumatic back issues and I suspect, his health insurance decided not to cover the cost (that's my speculation)

As to why he still had the gun and carried a manifesto probably had to do with his high intelligence, believing that he was too smart to get caught. As to the manifesto, perhaps that was a backup statement to be left to the public in the rare chance he did get caught. Regardless, he left enough bread crumbs for the detectives to follow, that Barney Fife could have figured it out. His actions tell me he is a highly intelligent idiot. I knew a lot of them in college - idealistic beliefs without a lick of common sense

Great take. Agree with all of it.

[uconnjack8]

I think in some way, he wanted to get caught

[DaveBrown74]

I think in some way, he wanted to get caught

Tend to agree with this as well. He certainly seemed to know he eventually would and seems like he convinced himself he was ok with it.

I wonder how he'll feel about that decision in hindsight his first night in a maximum security prison, knowing he will probably never get out, and if he does, it will be decades from now.

[uconnjack8]

Tend to agree with this as well. He certainly seemed to know he eventually would and seems like he convinced himself he was ok with it.

I wonder how he'll feel about that decision in hindsight his first night in a maximum security prison, knowing he will probably never get out, and if he does, it will be decades from now.

I have a lot of the same thoughts.  Right now on social media he is being called a hero by many people.  In 5 years when he is still facing decades in prison and people have long since moved on, I would think his view will change.