Three days after the cold-blooded assassination of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, in Midtown Manhattan, authorities are still on the hunt for the unidentified shooter. While law enforcement appeals to the public for assistance, an unusual narrative is emerging—one where the killer is being glorified by some as a vigilante figure.
Brian Thompson, a husband and father of two, was shot and killed outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel at approximately 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday. Surveillance footage captured the suspect fleeing the scene and entering a bus depot shortly after, but he has not been seen since. Police discovered a trail of clues: a distinctive backpack abandoned in Central Park, a water bottle with DNA evidence, and surveillance footage from a hostel where he allegedly stayed. Despite these leads, the gunman remains at large.
One particular detail has fueled online fascination: the words written on the bullet casings found at the scene—“depose,” “deny,” and “delay.” These terms, often associated with tactics used by insurance companies to avoid payouts, have become a rallying cry for some. This has ignited debates online, with many condemning the act while others express support for the shooter’s supposed message.
The internet’s reaction has been polarizing. Online sleuths, who typically mobilize to solve high-profile crimes, have shown little interest in assisting with this case. Instead, forums and social media platforms have seen an outpouring of frustration directed at the health insurance industry. Posts on platforms like X and Bluesky have highlighted the public’s anger, with some individuals framing the act as a symbolic stand against systemic inequalities.
The unusual attention has even led to peculiar events. A hostel where the suspect reportedly stayed has been inundated with poor online reviews, accusing the staff of cooperating with the police. In Washington Square Park, a small group of men gathered for a look-alike contest, dressing to mimic the gunman’s appearance as seen in surveillance footage. One participant had the infamous words “deny, delay, depose” painted on his jacket.
Alex Goldenberg, a senior adviser at the Network Contagion Research Institute, expressed concern over this phenomenon. He noted that the glorification of violence and the shooter’s transformation into a folk hero were deeply troubling. A report from the institute revealed that six of the top ten posts about the shooting on X either supported the act or vilified the victim. Goldenberg warned, “It’s being framed as an opening blow in a broader class war, which is deeply concerning as it could inspire similar acts of violence.”
Corporate executives, particularly in the insurance and pharmaceutical industries, are taking the threat seriously. In the hours following the shooting, many convened emergency meetings with private security firms to discuss additional protective measures.
Meanwhile, the shooter’s alleged message continues to resonate. In Philadelphia, over 100 miles from the crime scene, the words “deny,” “delay,” and “depose” were spray-painted on the side of a building. This graffiti has only fueled speculation about whether the killing was a targeted act of protest or the work of an individual with unrelated motives.
As the manhunt intensifies, the case underscores the fraught intersection of public anger, systemic inequities, and the potential consequences of turning criminals into cultural icons. For now, the city’s attention remains fixed on the shadowy figure whose actions have sparked both fear and a troubling wave of admiration.
