New York City has become the center of a tragic murder investigation involving the CEO of United Healthcare, Brian Thompson. The city's hostel now holds significant clues in this case. Let's delve into the details.

Unraveling the Mysteries of the United Healthcare CEO's Shooting

NYPD's Investigation at the Hostel

A New York City hostel has emerged as the crucial location in the murder investigation of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The NYPD obtained photos of a person of interest there. This individual let his guard down and mask slip as he interacted with a woman at the front desk. It was a seemingly innocent moment that might hold the key to solving the case. Former NYPD Deputy Commissioner John Miller emphasized the significance of this informal encounter, stating that it remains the most important clue to date. The man used a fake New Jersey ID with a phony name to check into the hostel on Amsterdam Ave in Manhattan's Upper West Side. Detectives promptly sealed off the room and questioned other guests. A spokesperson for Hi New York Hostel said they are fully cooperating with the NYPD and cannot comment due to the active investigation.

Timeline of the Gunman's Movements

This map presents a timeline of the deadly shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024 in New York City. Police are still piecing together the gunman's steps. Video shows him leaving a Midtown subway station at 6:15 a.m. on Wednesday, half an hour before the shooting. Minutes later, he appeared at a nearby Starbucks, just two blocks from the Hilton hotel. Sources tell CBS News that the suspect bought a drink and a protein bar with cash. The NYPD is now conducting forensic tests on a discarded coffee cup. Around 6:30 a.m., surveillance video obtained by The New York Times shows the suspect talking on a cellphone while walking toward the hotel. Sixteen minutes later, Thompson lost his life.

Clues at the Shooting Scene

Shell casings with the words "Delay" and "Deny" written on them were found at the scene. NYPD sources reveal that the gunman used a B&T STATION SIX gun equipped with a silencer. New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed shock, stating that he had never seen a silencer in his years of law enforcement. Investigators are still searching for the two most crucial pieces of evidence - the gun and the backpack. They are investigating whether the words on the shell casings shed light on a motive, perhaps referring to a book called "Delay, Deny, Defend" that is critical of insurers' tactics. Detectives are also searching Central Park, believing the suspect may have dumped his backpack there. They are visiting gun dealers in Connecticut to trace the purchase of the murder weapon and running photos of the person of interest through facial recognition technologies. Rich Esposito, a CBS News law enforcement contributor, explained that these efforts can be used against various databases. The NYPD is offering a $10,000 reward for information, and the public can call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. Tips can also be submitted via their website, and all calls are kept confidential.