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.
Prior to the incident, he went to a coffee shop on West 56th Street and paid in cash for a coffee, water, and two energy bars.
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
As the search for the killer enters its third day, authorities have yet to give a name for the suspect.
Police have already identified the shooter, according to a retired New York police investigator.
Former NYPD Lt. Darrin Porcher told Fox Business that the force probably already had a name, citing the uncommon rifle thought to have been used by the killer.
According to Fox News, the revelation follows another lead in the case, which suggested the gunman landed in New York last month on a Greyhound bus from Atlanta.
Atlanta police acknowledged that they are working with the NYPD on the inquiry.
On November 24, security footage shows him getting off the bus at Manhattan s Port Authority Bus Terminal.
We are fully cooperating with the authorities in this active investigation, a Greyhound representative told The Sun.
As it is ongoing, we cannot provide further comment at this time.
A burner phone discarded by the suspect was discovered in an alley near the New York Hilton Midtown, where Thompson was shot while arriving for an investor s conference.
The incident occurred outside the hotel on West 54th Street, in the centre of midtown Manhattan.
The gunman then escaped down an alleyway onto West 55th Street before being observed riding a bike to the left on Avenue of the Americas.
He was last seen biking into Central Park, which has limited surveillance camera coverage.
Surveillance footage appears to show the man exiting Central Park without the backpack.
Cops conducted an intensive search of the park on Thursday but have yet to find it.
On Thursday, investigators investigated the HI New York City Hostel on Manhattan s Upper West Side, where the accused killer is thought to have resided before to the shooting.
The NYPD posted a photo of a hooded guy smiling inside the hotel, identifying him as a person of interest wanted for questioning.
He wore the mask for the majority of his time at the hostel, but apparently removed it after a female employee flirted with him.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has expressed confidence that police will find the shooter quickly.
We re seeing good old-fashioned police work here, he told NY1, adding that the investigation was on the right track.
UnitedHealth Group Statement on Brian Thompson
Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was shot and killed while leaving a New York City hotel on December 4. The parent firm, UnitedHealth Group, published the following statement:
We are very saddened and startled by the demise of our good friend and colleague Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
Brian was a valued colleague and friend to everyone who worked with him.
We are working closely with the New York Police Department and would appreciate your patience and understanding at this difficult time.
Our hearts go out to Brian s family and all who were close to 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.