(NewsNation) — The manhunt for the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect continues days after CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in an early morning attack outside a Hilton Hotel in New York City.
Following the discovery of a backpack Friday in Central Park and surveillance footage revealing the suspected gunman’s path throughout Manhattan, authorities have expanded their search.
They have been collecting and testing DNA evidence near the scene, including a protein bar wrapper and a discarded water bottle. A cellphone and fake ID have been discovered, which authorities believe was owned by the suspected shooter.
According to law enforcement officials, the suspect has likely fled New York City on a bus. The NYPD was looking for the suspect in Georgia, as well as Central Park, on Monday.
NewsNation confirmed Monday that authorities in Altoona, Pennsylvania are questioning a man in connection to the killing.
NYPD divers search Central Park Lake for gun
NYPD divers searched Central Park Lake Sunday morning for the weapon used to kill Thompson, which is believed to be a 9mm gun with a silencer.
Another key piece of evidence — the electric bike the suspected gunman used to flee — remains missing.
NewsNation’s Caitlyn Becker and Nancy Loo reported live from the scene of the search, where divers seemed to come up empty-handed on Sunday morning.
Monopoly money found in backpack
The suspect in the killing has left behind evidence, including a backpack containing a jacket and Monopoly money discovered in a wooded area of Central Park. Retired New York Police Department Lt. Commander Joseph Cardinale joined “Morning in America with Hena Doba” to discuss the suspect’s actions, calling him “calculated.”
“He thinks this is a game, and that he’s ahead in the game,” Cardinale said.
Notably, the victim was sued earlier this year by the Hollywood Firefighters’ Pension Fund for insider trading and fraud.
Executives at United Healthcare were also being investigated by the Department of Justice over allegedly running a monopoly, and unfairly blocking out competitors, NewsNation affiliate WPIX reports.
NYPD releases new photos of CEO shooting suspect
New York Police released new photos Saturday night of the suspect.
The photos appear to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. One of the photos shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. The other photo shows him outside the vehicle. In both photos, his face is partially obscured by a blue, medical-style mask.
NYC mayor won’t release suspect’s name
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the shooting was an “intentional act” based on the preliminary investigation and the “net is tightening” on the suspect.
“The net is tightening,” Adams told reporters on Saturday, according to WNBC. “We’re going to bring this person to justice. I don’t want to do anything that’s going to impede on that investigation.”
When asked by a reporter if police had the suspect’s name, Adams said, “We don’t want to release that now. If you do, you’re basically giving a tip to the person.
“We are fine with seeking, and we do not want to give him an upper hand at all,” Adams said. “Let him continue to believe he can hide behind a mask.”
When reached for comment by The Hill, a New York Police Department spokesperson said, “We don’t have an ID that we are confirming.”
FBI, Atlanta police helping UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting investigation
The FBI announced late Friday that it has joined the NYPD in the search for the suspect who assassinated Thompson Wednesday morning right before the healthcare executive was set to address investors.
The FBI is offering $50,000 for information leading to the shooter’s arrest and conviction.
The Atlanta Police Department confirmed Friday it was contacted by NYPD and “will now be providing assistance as needed.” A local Fox affiliate reports that the gunman may have taken a Greyhound bus from Atlanta to New York City.
“We have video of him entering the Port Authority bus terminal. We don’t have any video of him exiting, so we believe he may have gotten on a bus,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny has previously said.
The suspect’s path to Hilton Hotel Midtown is also being analyzed. The bullet shells found at the scene had the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” written on them.
“It’s a horrific incident in our city, and we want to make sure this person is removed off the streets of America, not only off the streets of New York,” Adams said on Saturday.
NewsNation partner The Hill’s Filip Timotija contributed to this report.
