Suspected Killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Was Caught Smiling Because He Was Flirting with Female Hostel Staffer: Report

The man has not yet been identified by police

By @eliizabethurban
Thompson shooter
The suspected killer of the UnitedHealthcare CEO, who went viral for his smiley photo, was reportedly grinning because he was flirting with a female hostel worker. IBT

The suspected killer of the UnitedHealthcare CEO who was seen smiling in a recently released surveillance photo was reportedly grinning because he was flirting with a female hostel worker, according to a report.

The suspect had apparently pulled down his mask long enough for the still to be taken because the front desk worker had asked to see his smile, police sources told ABC News.

Images of the suspect were released by the New York Police Department on Thursday, showing the alleged suspect in a gray hooded jacket and a black mask pulled down around his neck. In one of the photos, the man smiles as he leans against a counter.

The man reportedly checked in to the Upper West Side hostel using a fake ID, as reported by CNN.

While police have reiterated that the man is wanted for questioning, that did not stop social media users from swooning over the smiling photo that NYPD shared.

"Beautiful smile," one user wrote. "The shooter is very handsome," another tweeted

The responses led others to laugh. "nypd's gonna open twitter hoping someone's dropped information and just seeing everyone thirsting i'm cryinggg," one user tweeted.

Police claim that the suspect was the person who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Wednesday in New York City. Video footage circulating around social media showed the shooter firing twice at the CEO before appearing to escape on an e-bike.

No arrests have yet to be made in the case. The investigation is ongoing.

Originally published on Latin Times.

Tags
NYPD, New York, New York City, Shooting
Join the Discussion
More Law & Society
Joe Budden

Joe Budden Says 'Racist' Neighbor Lied About Him Masturbating Naked Outside Her Door After Beating Lewdness Charge

rafael mexico walter white

Meet the Chemistry Student Who Used His Knowledge to Become Mexico's Real-Life Walter White

Ryanair Fine_01102025_1

Airline Sues Disruptive Passenger for Damages After Flight Forced to Divert Hundreds of Miles Off Course

Widespread Online Claims Proven False as Report Shows LA Fire

California Sends Hundreds of Prisoners to Battle Raging Wildfires, Pays Them Below Minimum Wage: 'Can Barely Afford Hygiene Supplies'

Real Time Analytics