Police say a man who has now been identified as the CEO of UnitedHealthcare was killed in what is believed to be a targeted shooting early Wednesday morning in New York City.

ABC News has confirmed through police sources that 50-year-old Brian Thompson was in New York City for an investors conference, adding his schedule was “widely known.” While NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the shooting a “brazen, targeted attack,” police at a news conference on Wednesday say they don’t know why Thompson was targeted.

Thompson was shot multiple times at point-blank range in Midtown Manhattan around 6:40 a.m. ET outside the New York Hilton located on Sixth Avenue between 53rd and 54th streets.

Three live 9mm rounds and three discharged 9mm shell casings were recovered from the scene.

While Thompson was brought to Mount Sinai West in critical condition, he later died.

NYPD says Thompson was shot “at least once” in the back and once in the leg.

The suspect, who police say is still at large, is described as being 6 feet, 1 inch tall with a thin build. He was wearing a light-color jacket, hat, ski mask and a gray backpack. He was seen headed north in a nearby alley.

Police say that as Thompson approached the hotel for the conference, the suspect approached him from behind and fired several shots.

“Many people passed the suspect but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” Tisch said.

Police released the following photos of the shooter:

Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the shooter and are offering a $10,000 reward for information. If you have information on the shooter, call 1-800-577-8477 (TIPS).

Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said the suspect ran north into an alley between 54th and 55th Streets. Once at 55th Street, the shooter continued west and got onto an electric city e-bike. He then rode the e-bike toward Central Park.

The suspect was last seen in Central Park at Center Drive early Wednesday morning.

ABC News says the investor conference Thompson was going to attend was scheduled to start at 8 a.m. ET, but the shooter appeared to have arrived hours ahead of that time, and knew which door Thompson was going to enter.

Company executives then addressed the investor conference on the second floor of the hotel.

ABC News reports Thompson was not staying at the hotel he was shot outside of, and police will be looking for evidence at the hotel he was staying at.

“We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian,” Thompson’s wife, Paulette, told ABC News. “Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives. Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed. We appreciate your well wishes and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time.”

According to NBC News, Paulette Thompson said Wednesday morning that her husband talked about receiving threats, but she was unclear on the nature of the threats.

Police in Maple Grove, where the Thompsons live, said it has had no contact with Brian Thompson and there are no records that show threats were reported to police. One suspicious incident was reported at his family’s home in 2018, but no criminal activity was discovered.

5 INVESTIGATES reviewed more than 200 calls for service at UnitedHealthcare’s campus in Minnetonka since 2021. None of the calls that police responded to appeared related to any threats against executives.

In July of this year, police arrested 11 individuals during a protest at the campus. Records show police cited the protestors after they refused to leave and were unlawfully blocking the roadway.

Thompson had been the CEO of Minnetonka-based UnitedHealthcare since April of 2021.The company released the following statement on Thompson’s death:

“We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”

The shooting comes months after HealthPartners announced it was dropping a UnitedHealthcare Medicare plan starting next year.

Gov. Tim Walz sounded off on social media about the shooting, saying the news was “horrifying” and Thompson’s death is “a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota”, adding that the state is sending its prayers to his family and the UnitedHealthcare team.

Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips also wrote on social media, saying in part that he was “horrified” at Thompson’s death, and also was praying for his family.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota called the murder a “horrifying and shocking act of violence” and said her thoughts are with his family and UnitedHealthcare workers.