NY - UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in Midtown. #2

[MassGuy]

I wish the CNN interviewer had asked John Miller whether or not the suspect had a regional or foreign accent, or spoke another language at any point. Also, any info on his eye color, marks on face or hands, or visible tattoos would be helpful.

If they knew any of that, I imagine it would be in the public domain. It would be super helpful.

He must be American, and I imagine any identifying features were covered (scars, tattoos, etc).

 

[RobSA]

Strange how he just seemed to place the item rather than deposit it behind or between those bags.

I am assuming it was just an energy bar wrapper.

 

[kaen]

Maybe this was a backup louder gun unless anything went wrong and he had to flee? JMO. Looking at that extended MAG I'm wondering if it had a 'switch' on it which allows for automatic like rapid firing. JMO based on my collection and range visits.

The linked gun is from a shooting in Brooklyn.

 

[annpats]

Don’t you think it strange that a murderer is actually sharing a room with people who could identify him? Who does that?

Someone who doesn't have the cash to spend on a room only for himself.

But I agree, sharing a dorm room with strangers is just so weird in this situation!

 

[Warwick1991]

DBM

 

[MassGuy]

Thank you. I'm glad you clarified that. I thought I remembered reading that BT arrived early, but couldn't easily find the specific date.

Does a hostel take reservations? I don't know how they work. Is it possible that when the shooter checked in, he had hoped to stay continuously through the night of the 3rd, but was told that the night of Nov 29 was not available, so he had to find other accommodations that night?

This one does take reservations, but I imagine you could just walk in too. He was in a room for 4, but only 3 people were staying there (him and 2 others).

 

[DS2021]

So this the murder weapon? That's a garden variety Ruger semi-automatic pistol, not a B&T VP9. Relatively inexpensive, and a popular model - a P Series. Available all over the US; I think they're discontinued but widely available used. I think that may be an extended magazine to accommodate more ammunition. I don't see an extended or threaded barrel, so if a silencer/suppressor was used, it was some kind of improvised device.

The original poster made a mistake. That gun is from a different case in Brooklyn. Not related to this case at all

 

[MassGuy]

Someone who doesn't have the cash to spend on a room only for himself.

But I agree, sharing a dorm room with strangers is just so weird in this situation!

John Miller was talking about this earlier. It wouldn't have been a financial consideration, but perhaps a way for him to blend in, in plain sight. Lots of people coming and going, many around his age.

A hostel is probably going to have a less robust surveillance system than a hotel, and he was able to pay with cash and use a fake ID, when most hotels require credit cards.

 

[Columbo Was The Best]

I wish the CNN interviewer had asked John Miller whether or not the suspect had a regional or foreign accent, or spoke another language at any point. Also, any info on his eye color, marks on face or hands, or visible tattoos would be helpful.

I just found his hands and gait... would not know what adjective to use... I get dancer & pianist vibes. Well educated.

 

[MesquiteO21]

WOW. Just WOW. Unbelievable and believable all at the same time.

Lol
Now I wonder if he really did, for some reason, think the hostel wouldn’t have a camera
Jmo

 

[BUF]

and I imagine any identifying features were covered (scars, tattoos, etc).

If you notice, that black scarf is always wrapped around his neck

 

[annpats]

Lol, exactly. An assassin isn’t using marked bullets, stopping at Starbucks, and sharing a room with others.

Right! It's almost like he was just a kid or something.

Almost reminds me of Bryan Kohberger and the university house killings in Idaho in 2022.

There's a childish-ness to it all...and didn't Kohberger accidentally leave something behind at the scene too? (I forget precisely what.)

 

[clearskies1]

The shooter had a plan. It required a lot of effort. He came to town early.

 

[schooling]

My guess would be simply that he’s not familiar with Minnesota. There’s been exceptions (Israel Keyes for example) but generally speaking criminals commit crimes in areas they’ve lived in and/or spent a significant amount of time in
Jmo

That's a super busy area. One of the busiest 1/2 miles in the world. Times Square is less than a 1/2 mile away. It's Christmas which is one of the busiest tourist seasons. It's by all intents and purposes the end of the fiscal year with the holidays coming up so tens of thousands of people are in town for business meetings. JMO.

He knew that this would be national news. He knew that the people directly benefiting off of the insurance companies bottom line would all be in one place. He knew how traumatized they'd all be. He knew the messages on his bullet would be sensationalized. And ultimately he knew that NY likely elevated the risks of him being caught. IMO.

I think Manhattan at this specific meeting was probably the entire point. To send a message. I'm trying to be careful about not sensationalizing this or marveling over what he did. So don't take any offense by my formatting. MOO.

 

[I am not Sherlock H.]

Strange how he just seemed to place the item rather than deposit it behind or between those bags.

Exactly what I was thinking from viewing that video. Seems he carefully placed the item with hopes it would be found. And IMO it was a deliberate gesture. Not cavalier or as if one tried to jettison it quickly while passing so as to not being seen doing so. A calculated move IMO. MOO

 

[honestground]

So he travelled to NYC from Atlanta on a bus. Where did he get the e-bike?

Traveled to NY from Atlanta on a bus with a gun bought in CT and a fake New Jersey ID? Trying to catch up but that's what I think I've gathered so far. Hmm.

 

[MassGuy]

Right! It's almost like he was just a kid or something.

Almost reminds me of Bryan Kohberger and the university house shootings in Idaho in 2022.

There's a childish-ness to it all...and didn't Kohberger accidentally leave something behind at the scene too? (I forget precisely what.)

Ha! That knife sheath.

Yes, meticulous planners, but execution left a lot to be desired. They delayed discovery, but guaranteed it at the same time.

 

[Warwick1991]

The original poster made a mistake. That gun is from a different case in Brooklyn. Not related to this case at all

Yes, I deleted my post

 

[nhmemorymaker]

What? Really?!? Personally I feel that we’ve learned a ton in the last 24 hours, I can hardly keep up! Especially when compared to the pace of other cases we follow here at WS!

I feel like they’re closing in!!!

gobs and gobs of speculation, but not facts on finding him
NOW...we are getting facts probable before the murder, but still no facts on finding him.

 

[LadyL]

The ebike does not seem to be set up for the gunman rider. As such, this may be a bike that the gunman was not familiar with (perhaps a very recent purchase at a local store !!!)

It seems that the seat should have been raised much higher to properly fit the tall gunman. That didn't affect his ability to get away though, as he was not reliant on pedalling and was able to use the electric motor to propel him.

Also it seems that the gunman had poor control over the ebike when he was riding on West 85th street, as he was travelling in a weaving manner; not in a straight line, the way an experienced rider would do.

I had assumed it was a city e-bike. The ones that people rent.