The mysterious gunman accused in the fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was seemingly all smiles when he used a fake New Jersey ID to check into a hostel before killing the victim, according to a report.
The suspected killer used the phony ID at the front desk to book lodging at the HI New York City Hostel in Manhattan before the shooting, sources told the New York Post.
Still clips extracted from hostel surveillance footage and shared earlier Thursday by the New York Police Department showed the alleged shooter unmasked, with a grin on his face, wearing a light brown jacket with the hood pulled over his head.
Police are still working to confirm his identity, more than 24 hours after he allegedly shot and killed 50-year-old Thompson, who was outside the New York Hilton Midtown the morning of the company's annual investors meeting Wednesday, where he was ambushed.
Thompson was shot in the back and leg. He was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly after.
Police said it "appeared the suspect was lying in wait" for at least five minutes before he approached the victim and fired off several rounds.
"Every indication is that this was a premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack," NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters at a press briefing following the deadly incident.
The suspect fled on foot northbound into an alleyway, where he appeared to hop onto an e-bike. A cell phone recovered in the alley has been collected as part of the investigation, said Kenny.
Thompson's estranged wife, Paulette Thompson, said Wednesday without elaborating, that "there had been some threats" recently toward her husband, according to NBC News.
Police described the suspect as a light-skinned male, last seen wearing a light brown or cream colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers and a "very distinctive" gray backpack.
A $10,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information leading to an arrest.
A motive remains under investigation.
