The rucksack abandoned in Central Park by the alleged assassin of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has been found by police.
Officials said the gunman ran after being spotted near a bus stop in New York, leaving his rucksack behind.
The backpack was found during the second search of the Manhattan park, the New York Police Department confirmed to The Sun.
Officers have said that the backpack will be brought immediately to the lab for forensic analysis, although they have not yet opened it, according to the New York Times.
Near the renowned carousel at the southern end of the park, where the suspect was last spotted riding an e-bike, the assassin’s backpack was found.
Investigators have cause to suspect that the person of interest in Thompson’s murder has left the city, according to New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
“Police wanted a larger audience to see the picture outside of New York City, so they released a photo of the person suspected of the murder on Thursday,” she told CNN.
Investigators are still piecing together the murderer’s post-shooting movement timeline.
- The killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson remains at large as the manhunt enters its third day .
- Security camera images of a smiling man wearing a hooded jacket have been released, while a fake ID, cellphone, and DNA sample have reportedly been found.
- The killer pulled down his face mask while flirting with a hotel receptionist .
- Cops believe the assassin used a rare World War Two spy gun fitted with a silencer to kill Thompson.
- The killer fled into Central Park on a bike wearing a backpack, but was later spotted leaving without it.
- He arrived in New York last month after boarding a Greyhound bus that originated in Atlanta.
- Terrified CEOs are stepping up their security in the wake of the killing over fears of copycat assassination attempts.
- A $10,000 reward for any information about the killing is being offered by police.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said the suspected shooter left the scene outside the New York Hilton Midtown, riding a bike up Avenue of the Americas into Central Park after going down an ally.
Then, while still carrying the bike, Kenny left Central Park close to 77th Street, he said CNN.
Before boarding a taxi and heading north to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station, where authorities say he arrived at around 8 a.m. but remained, the suspect is seen walking to the intersection of 86th Street and Columbus Avenue.
Interstate buses are what those are. He said, “That’s why we assume he’s left New York City.”
Since we don’t have any footage of him leaving, we think he might have boarded a bus.
A forensics lab had previously received DNA evidence connected to UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s death for examination.
The health commissioner was shot and killed outside a hotel in New York City on Wednesday morning, and police are still searching for leads.
Law enforcement officials claim that the DNA evidence was discovered in a water bottle that the shooter bought at a Starbucks two blocks away from the scene of the murder.
He paid cash for a coffee, water, and two energy bars at a coffee shop on West 56th Street before the incident.
The bottle was found at the scene of the crime by investigators.
Just prior to the murder, the suspect is seen throwing away an object in a recent video.
MANHUNT ENTERS THIRD DAY
Authorities have yet to identify the suspect as the third day of the murderer’s search approaches.
Police have already identified the shooter, according to a retired New York police investigator.
Citing the rare gun believed to have been used by the murderer, former NYPD Lt. Darrin Porcher told Fox Business that the force most likely already had a name.
The disclosure comes after another clue in the case, according to Fox News, that the shooter arrived in New York last month by a Greyhound bus from Atlanta.
Police in Atlanta admitted that they are collaborating with the NYPD on the investigation.
He is seen stepping off the bus at Manhattan’s Port Authority Bus Terminal on November 24 on CCTV footage.
A Greyhound official told The Sun, “We are fully cooperating with the authorities in this ongoing investigation.”
We are unable to comment at this time due to the continuing nature of the matter.
In an alley close to the New York Hilton Midtown, where Thompson was shot on his way to an investor’s conference, a burner phone that the suspect had thrown away was found.
The incident happened in the middle of midtown Manhattan, outside the hotel on West 54th Street.
The shooter was then seen riding a bike to the left on Avenue of the Americas after fleeing down an alleyway into West 55th Street.
The last time we saw him, he was riding into Central Park, which is not well-covered by security cameras.
The man is seen leaving Central Park without the backpack in surveillance footage.
Despite a thorough search of the park on Thursday, police were unable to locate it.
The HI New York City Hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, where the alleged murderer is believed to have lived prior to the killing, was the subject of an investigation on Thursday.
The NYPD identified the man as a person of interest wanted for interrogation after posting a picture of him grinning inside the hotel while wearing a hood.
He spent most of his stay at the hostel wearing the mask, but he reportedly took it off after being flirted with by a female staff member.
Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, has said he is certain that the gunman will be apprehended by the police.
He told NY1 that the probe was headed in the correct direction and that we were witnessing real, old-fashioned police work.
UnitedHealth Group Statement on Brian Thompson
On December 4, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and died as he was leaving a hotel in New York City. UnitedHealth Group, the parent company, released the following statement:
The passing of our close friend and coworker Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, has left us deeply grieved and shocked.
Everyone who worked with Brian considered him a friend and a respected colleague.
During this trying time, we would appreciate your compassion and patience as we work closely with the New York Police Department.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Brian’s family and everyone who knew him.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.