The killing of Buddha UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson “Height” will do [executives’] Awareness of the risks” and potentially a wave of new security contracts, experts told Fox News Digital.
An ambush gunman captured on surveillance video with his face covered in Thompson brandished a pistol with a silencer outside the midtown Hilton Hotel at 6:46 a.m. Wednesday. The executive was shot Three times
At least one potential client, the head of a major financial institution, has been specifically mentioned, former New York homeland security adviser Michael Balboni told Fox News Digital. Shooting When calling to inquire after an executive-protection evaluation through his company Redland Strategies Inc
“In the short term, this incident highlights the need to conduct risk assessments not only on infrastructure or systems, but also on critical personnel,” he said. “As a result, security personnel should be busy.”
UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO Brian Thompson’s ‘Premeditated’ Attack and Suspect’s Escape: Timeline
Surveillance footage released by the NYPD shows the suspect wanted in the Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, shooting death of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson in midtown Manhattan. (NYPD)
“But in the long term, satisfaction will return,” he added.
Retired NYPD detective Pete Brosnan, CEO of the Brosnan Investigation Group and former head of Brosnan Risk Consultants, told Fox News Digital that the assassination “had already, within hours of the assassination, high-level, chief security around the country.” Officers’ meetings were indicated.”
“These emergency appointments were made because of the unusual circumstances surrounding Thompson’s murder: a clearly targeted killing early in the morning by a calm and ruthless killer with obvious skill in handling a weapon. ; along with which the weapon is extremely difficult to produce, and possibly the most annoying. [possession] Insider information on target schedules.”
UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO murder: Investigators start small, focus on family in search of motive
This undated photo provided by UnitedHealth Group shows UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Officer Brian Thompson. (AP Photo/United Health Group)
“His methodical and calm handling of the weapon when it jammed probably sent a chill of fear into every single CSO (Chief Security Officer),” he said. “It is precisely this kind of apparent professionalism, its linear focus on mission and precise exit strategy coupled with specific intelligence about target movements that keep CSOs up late at night.”
“I’m sure it prompted many of them to immediately review their current security protocols and procedures to mitigate against copycat,” Brosnan continued.
Philip Klein – whose security company has provided bodyguards for Thompson in the past – said The Wall Street Journal That he was surprised his former client wasn’t around on Wednesday.
“It was normal operation for this company that they would have their own private security team to look after their corporate executives,” Klein told the outlet.
A screenshot of surveillance footage released by the NYPD shows an alleged person of interest in connection with the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. I want (NYPD Crime Stoppers)
Fox News Digital previously reported that Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, said she had received recent threats against her husband.
“There were some threats,” he said NBC News. “Basically, I don’t know, lack of coverage? I don’t know the details. All I know is that he said there were some people who were threatening him.”
Although the risk assessment has increased since the shooting, Balboni said it will likely be short-lived.
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“During [the Black Lives Matter movement] Retail security increased, for example,” he said. “But time goes by, and it wears off.”
“Anxiety may be heightened, but it will be tempered again,” he continued. “In the short term, yes, [executives will] At least [get] An overview of what the pros need to do this. . . . But most executives I know say, ‘Not me, somebody else, it’s not going to happen to me.’
“There are all kinds of issues that can happen — it becomes a personality thing,” he continued. “You [often] Stay with the guard. . . . After a certain point a lot of people are like, ‘That’s it, I don’t want you.’