The head of the American insurance company UnitedHealthcare was shot dead in New York, according to CBS News, the BBC's American partner.
Chief Executive Brian Thompson was fatally shot in the chest shortly before 7 a.m. EST (1200 GMT) Wednesday outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, where he was scheduled to speak at an investors conference later in the day.
The 50-year-old man was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.
A suspect fled the scene and remains at large, New York police said.
Thompson appeared to be targeted in the attack, with the suspect waiting outside wearing a ski mask and cream jacket, police said.
Investigators said they had video footage of the shooting but did not know the suspect's motive. Nothing was taken from the victim, they added.
Thompson was named chief executive of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021. He earned $10.2 million (£8 million) working for the company last year.
Thompson started at the health insurance provider in 2004 and has held several senior positions, including CEO of the company's government programs division.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest private insurer in the United States.
UnitedHealth Group quickly canceled its investor conference after news of the shooting, according to US media.
“We are facing a very serious medical situation,” Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealthcare parent company UnitedHealth Group, said at the event.
The BBC has contacted UnitedHealthcare for comment.
In a statement, a Hilton hotel spokesperson said the company was “deeply saddened by this morning's events in the area and our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy.”
