6 key data points NYPD will use to get the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter

Speculation about the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson remains rampant. While this may be interesting, the reality is that field research will be far more mundane than fascinating. For today’s detectives, serious crime investigations combine “shoe leather” sanding with data-driven digital forensics. That can be a daunting amount of information.

So let’s take a look at some solid data points that are likely to serve as a starting point for surveyors who need to calculate percentages (and those who don’t).

1. “Hired killers” in the commonly recognized sense do not actually exist.

The idea that someone off the street can walk into a social club or call a guy they know who murders for a living is essentially a myth, and in my experience such things I can’t remember. That being said, murder-for-hire does exist (i.e., willingly hired by non-“professional” employees).

United Healthcare CEO assassin left message: ‘Make a statement’ or ‘throw off the police’: Detective

But speculation about whether the shooter was a “professional” is off the mark, and police don’t care. What they’re interested in now is hard data points that can identify the shooter. At best, a murderer’s professional status can only flourish if the case goes to trial.

2. Timeline is important

Now, this is not surprising, but information about this case is exploding. But what detectives are most interested in are reliable metrics. For example, “How did the gunman know that Thompson would show up at 6:40 a.m. for the 8 a.m. meeting?” Did the gunman have any access to Thompson’s schedule or movements?

Recall that the gunman apparently “sticked out” near the shooting site minutes before the shooting. Was there an accomplice watching Thompson emerge from a nearby hotel? Who was the gunman calling in the still photo released by the NYPD?

And even more to that question…

3. How did the gunman instantly recognize Thompson?

The gunman was on the property line across the street when Thompson came up the block. The video shows the gunman apparently recognized Thompson in early-dusk conditions and from what must have been at least 60 feet away. Then again, how did he know Thompson was coming?

Thompson was of ordinary build and appearance. Why was he so sure this was his intended target, especially since he was approaching Thompson from behind? I don’t think you can do this from the reference photo.

One thing we can conclude is that Thompson was the target. False flag or not, the message on the shell casings left at the scene confirms this.

4. Digital data is key

Police reportedly recovered the cellphone in an alley “cut” through which the gunman fled from West 54th Street to West 55th Street. Was the culprit really that careless? If he is, and if he actually made the call shown in the still photo, this is important information.

The legal process allows a search warrant to obtain digital information showing the destination and number of the caller (even if it is a disposable phone). It may not be tied to the shooter’s name, but it could be linked to any of his activity on the burner phone, and the shooting would almost certainly reveal the shooter’s identity through interviews or simple context. There is a possibility that it will lead to someone related to the crime.

A screenshot of surveillance footage released by the NYPD shows a person wanted in connection with the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. is reflected. (NYPD Crime Stoppers)

Additionally, the gunman reportedly took Uber at least once during his 10-day stay in the city. Your Uber account is linked to your credit card. Did he use a real card? Even if he used a stolen card, you can trace the pattern by taking other Uber rides.

Additionally, the culprit appears to have carefully planned his flight route, and may have walked along that route before. Is there a video of him doing it before filming? Was his cell phone on during the walk?

5. Facial recognition is certainly important

As of this writing, although the gunman’s mugshot has been sufficiently released, many observers believe he (if indeed the gunman is male) has not been identified at least. expresses dissatisfaction. But he likely was, and the police decided they had a better chance of arresting him by not revealing that they knew his identity or whereabouts. This is especially true if you suspect that he has an accomplice.

The use of facial recognition software was likely already key, as clear mugshots like the one reportedly obtained from the youth hostel may have led to the discovery of the Greyhound bus bound for New York City. .

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There are thousands of cameras that police facial recognition technology has access to, and there are numerous port authorities in and around Midtown (where buses to New York typically arrive and depart). Through the use of facial recognition technology, there is a good chance that the software will match the shooter to public social media or government accounts.

6. Traditional forensics is important, but perhaps less so now

Fingerprints are good evidence, but they only serve as confirmation if the shooter is not already in the system (like Jose Ybarra’s conviction against Laken Riley, for example).

The same goes for DNA. Although excellent evidence in court, the collected DNA may be useless if the perpetrator’s profile has not yet been entered into the CODIS system (Combined DNA Index System). But remember that in the Idaho case, family DNA reportedly led to the suspect’s family, Brian Koberger. If one of the commercial DNA databases has a relative of the shooter, this could lead to him. But it takes time.

Additionally, the culprit appears to have carefully planned his flight route, and may have walked along that route before. Is there a video of him doing it before filming? Was his cell phone on during the walk?

Of course, there are many other avenues police are pursuing – reports of threats against Thompson, protests against United Healthcare, unusual guns, lawsuits in which Thompson is allegedly involved, etc. Points are now the most important “clue” for investigators.

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And those of us who speak out against this crime must always remember that no matter the outcome, we are discussing the loss of the life of a man with a family at the hands of a cold-blooded murderer. . That is the most important fact underlying this entire incident.

Good news. These days, especially in midtown Manhattan, it’s nearly impossible to escape these types of incidents. It’s only a matter of time before the NYPD catches this culprit.

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