In their investigation into the midtown Manhattan killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, authorities have gathered DNA evidence linked to the suspect. The suspect remains at large two days after Thompson’s death, which police have classified as a premeditated attack.
On Friday, officials announced that DNA evidence related to the crime had been collected. The DNA evidence was obtained from a water bottle discovered at the crime scene, believed to have been purchased by the suspect at a nearby Starbucks, according to The New York Times.
NYPD Commissioner highlights ongoing efforts to locate the suspect’s missing backpack in Central Park
In addition to the water bottle, investigators have recovered a fake ID and a cellphone that are thought to belong to the gunman. Images of the suspect were released on Thursday, depicting him in a hooded jacket and what appears to be a black backpack.
Further details regarding the evidence have emerged since the fatal incident. However, the bullet that killed Thompson reportedly had the words “delay,” “deny,” and “depose” inscribed on it, likely referencing terminology used by health insurers when denying claims.
However, the suspect’s backpack has yet to be found, prompting the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to conduct ongoing searches in Central Park as of Friday afternoon.
“We have a large canvas underway in Central Park. The backpack has not been located, so we are executing a comprehensive sweep of the area, believing he may have dropped it there. We are utilizing both manpower and drones,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated in a Friday interview. Tisch also mentioned that authorities now have “reason to believe” the suspect has left New York City.
In an interview with CNN, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny revealed, “We have video footage of him entering the Port Authority bus terminal, but no evidence of him exiting, leading us to suspect he may have boarded a bus.”
Kenny elaborated on the suspect’s movements on the day of the crime, explaining that investigators are retracing his steps from the Hilton Hotel, where the shooting occurred, through Central Park, which he is believed to have traversed on a bicycle.
“We tracked him to 86th Street and Columbus Avenue, where he abandoned the bike. From that point, he took a taxi to 178th Street and Broadway, which is a known Port Authority bus terminal,” Kenny noted. “These buses serve interstate routes.”
The suspect is thought to have traveled to New York on a Greyhound bus originating from Atlanta, although it remains unclear whether he boarded in Atlanta or at another stop along the route.
