NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch had announced falling crime rates on Tuesday, including fewer shootings than a year ago.
A day before the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, New York City officials announced that crime had fallen by nearly 6 percent in November.
Drops in murder, robbery, and burglary offenses were behind the 5.7 percent decline, according to a New York City Police Department briefing Tuesday.
As part of the announcement, the NYPD said shootings were down by 61 incidents at the same time in 2023 (841 against 902), with 37 fewer victims.
On Wednesday morning, Thompson was shot in broad daylight outside a midtown Manhattan hotel, where he was attending United Health Group’s annual investor conference. The suspect, who was wearing a mask at the time, allegedly fired at Thompson and then fled the scene.
“It appears the suspect was lying in wait for several minutes and as the victim was walking to the conference hotel, the suspect approached from behind and fired several rounds, striking the victim at least once in the back, and at least once in the right calf”, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a press conference Wednesday.
