Police Reveal Three Words Written on Shell Casings Found at the Scene of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s Shooting

The three words have been used to describe the actions of various types of insurers, including health insurers, as they highlight tactics employed to avoid paying claims.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was tragically killed by a masked gunman. Authorities later disclosed a chilling detail: three cryptic words inscribed on the shell casings recovered from the crime scene.

According to law enforcement officials, the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” were reportedly etched onto the ammunition used by a masked gunman to kill the health insurance executive.

The phrase bears a striking resemblance to the commonly cited “delay, deny, defend” tactics often associated with insurer strategies to avoid paying claims. They are also the title of a book by Jay Feinman released in 2010 that was strongly condemnatory of the insurance industry.

Police haven’t officially commented on the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” or any connection between them and the common phrase, “delay, deny, defend.”

However, the New York Police Department (NYPD) detectives are investigating whether the words were intended as a message from the shooter or a clue to their motive.

The words have ignited discussions on social media, with many users voicing their frustrations about the high costs and complicated nature of accessing healthcare in the US. Feinman’s books highlight how this phrase symbolizes the motivation of insurance companies to exploit customers to boost profits.

Insurance companies often use the strategy known as the “three D’s” to minimize payouts and maximize profits. First, they delay the claims process by requesting additional paperwork or claiming the submission is late, hoping the claimant will give up.

If that doesn’t work, they may deny the claim entirely or offer a low settlement, expecting the claimant to accept it out of frustration. Finally, if denial fails, the insurer picks up the defense strategy. They may push the claimant to court, extending the process and potentially reducing the payout, all while benefiting from keeping the money longer.

Lea Keller, managing partner at Lewis and Keller, a personal injury law firm based in North Carolina also explained, “The longer they can delay and deny the claim, the longer they can hold onto their money and they’re not paying it out.”

Additionally, critics argue that insurers are increasingly obstructing even standard treatments. This leads to delays that can negatively impact a patient’s recovery or, in severe cases, their survival. Delay, deny, and defend have been broadly associated with criticisms of the insurance industry, including practices attributed to major insurers like UnitedHealthcare.

In recent years, UnitedHealthcare, like other large insurers, has faced scrutiny from patients, healthcare providers, and lawmakers regarding claims of denied coverage and perceived hurdles to accessing care.

As one of the largest health insurers in the US, serving over 49 million Americans and reporting more than $281 billion in revenue last year, the company’s practices have significant implications for the healthcare landscape. However, it is important to note that such criticisms represent broader industry trends rather than allegations specific to UnitedHealthcare.

Now, police are searching for the man suspected to have killed Brian Thompson. The NYPD released photos of the person of interest and is seeking the public’s help. They wrote in a Facebook post, “If you have any information about this case, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). There is a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.”

Thompson was fatally shot at close range in Midtown Manhattan on the morning of December 4, just before he was scheduled to attend an investor conference. As per the police, he appeared to be waiting for Thompson at the hotel he shot him in at around 6:46 a.m., before fleeing.

During a press briefing, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the incident as a “brazen, targeted attack” that was “premeditated.”

Eyewitnesses have also already shared their recounts regarding the murder of Thompson. One unnamed individual revealed that the sound of a gunshot initially drew their attention.

Speaking to a news station, an unnamed witness recalled, “I hear a shot,” adding, “When I look around, I saw a guy with a gun.[sic]” The witness also noted that the suspect fired three shots before fleeing the scene.

A food cart vendor also happened to be near the scene, but he said he didn’t hear gunshots but saw two helicopters and police vehicles around. Amar Abdelmula, an Uber driver, is another person who was on the scene when the incident occurred.

He revealed that he watched the shooting happen and took a picture as the gunman ran away from the scene. Abdelmula said, “I was holding my phone, then I heard the shot and when I looked up, the guy had the gun, you know, the silent gun, and I saw him after he shot him, he ran across the street this way.”

Investigators believe the shooter used a silencer on the firearm. According to Tisch, the 50-year-old executive was reportedly walking to UnitedHealthcare’s investor conference when he was attacked.

An unidentified gunman approached Thompson from behind and fired multiple times. The late CEO was struck in the back and calf and was later pronounced dead at Mount Sinai West Hospital.

During the press briefing, one of Tisch’s colleagues revealed that they were trying to get more video surveillance from different locations. They were also getting information from “numerous sources.”

A media outlet shared surveillance footage of the shooting. In it, the gunman was seen waiting for several minutes before opening fire on the CEO. The suspect then trailed Thompson, who collapsed after being struck and then continued to fire at him.

According to police reports, it appeared that the gun jammed at one point during the attack, but the assailant cleared it and resumed firing. At the time of the shooting, Thompson was wearing a blue suit.

Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators recovered three live 9 mm rounds, three discharged shell casings, and a cell phone near the scene. Investigators also discovered a cellphone, believed to be the shooter’s, along an alley that the suspect reportedly used as an escape route.

They also found a bottle of water believed to have been purchased at a Starbucks around the corner by the suspect minutes before the shooting. According to a law enforcement official before he attacked Thompson, the shooter, visited the nearby Starbucks on Sixth Avenue.

The images, taken one block north from where the shooting occurred, showed the suspect standing at the Starbucks counter, with the pictures taken at around 6:17 a.m. The shooter allegedly bought a bottle of water and two power bars before leaving.

Investigators hope that the phone could have DNA or the suspect’s fingerprints, and if they manage to unlock it, the gunman’s identity will be clear. If the phone is a burner, investigators can use it to see the suspect’s searches and communications before the shooting.

The water bottle might also hold the DNA of the shooter. Police are still trying to find the bike and gun that the suspect used at the scene of the crime.

As per the eyewitness account after the shooting, the suspect fled on foot, but reports further revealed that he obtained a city rental bike, and was last seen entering Central Park. Police described the suspect as wearing a black hoodie and matching pants while carrying a gray backpack.

On the afternoon of the shooting, the NYPD released three surveillance photos of the suspect who had his hoodie covering his head and a mask that covered his mouth. The gunman was also seen in images where he was actively shooting and when he rode away on a bike.

As much as police are yet to determine a motive for the attack, Thompson’s wife, Paulette, disclosed that her husband had received threats before his death. She stated, “Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know [the] details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.”

Thompson’s grieving family described him as an “incredibly loving, generous, and talented man,” and requested privacy during this challenging time.

In response to the tragic loss, UnitedHealth Group released a statement expressing its shock and sadness over Thompson’s death.

The company described him as a respected colleague and friend and pledged full cooperation with the NYPD’s investigation. It also extended its heartfelt condolences to the late CEO’s family and loved ones.