UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson is shot and killed in New York City

A hooded gunman who was lying in wait for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson shot and killed the executive outside a Manhattan hotel Wednesday in what police say appeared to be a “brazen, targeted attack.’'

Thompson, 50, was fatally wounded outside the Midtown Hilton and video evidence indicated the gunman waited about five minutes, as many others walked past, before approaching his victim from behind and firing several rounds, Jessica Tisch, New York City police commissioner, said at a news conference.

The executive, who was walking to the annual investor conference for Minnetonka-based parent company UnitedHealth Group, was struck at least once in the back and at least once in the leg, Tisch said.

“Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was shot and killed in what appears — in this early stage of our investigation — to be a brazen, targeted attack,” Tisch said. “This does not appear to be a random act of violence.”

The commissioner added: “I want to be clear, at this time, every indication is that this was a premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack.”

The gunman remained at large as of Wednesday night. Police are offering a $10,000 reward for information on the attack. The shooting occurred about 6:45 a.m. Eastern time.

Thompson, who lived in Maple Grove, had arrived in New York on Monday and was walking alone to the investor conference without a security detail, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said during the news conference.

Video shows the shooter step out from behind a car and ignore other pedestrians before firing on Thompson from behind, Kenny said. The assailant then walked toward Thompson and continued to shoot, until the gun apparently malfunctioned.

After clearing the jam, the shooter began to fire again, Kenny said, and then fled on foot.

Responding to reporters, Kenny said police don’t know if the shooter could have been a professional, nor could investigators say if there was a silencer on the weapon. From watching the video, he said, “it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly.”

After his initial flight from the scene, the suspect was later seen riding an e-bike, including when he was spotted in Central Park.