Silence from Online Sleuths as CEO is Gunned Down in New York City
A high-profile violent crime typically sets social media abuzz with tips and theories from amateur internet sleuths, hunting for the alleged perpetrator. But after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down in New York City this week without a primary suspect being identified, a rare occurrence happened in the thriving true-crime world: silence online from highly followed armchair detectives.
Unprecedented Lack of Interest in Finding the Killer
"I have yet to see a single video that’s pounding the drum of ‘we have to find him,’ and that is unique," said Michael McWhorter, better known as TizzyEnt on TikTok, where he posts true crime and viral news content for his 6.7 million followers. "And in other situations of some kind of blatant violence, I would absolutely be seeing that."
Online Praise for the Killing
Thompson’s targeted killing has sparked online praise from people angry over the state of U.S. health care. Tens of thousands of people have expressed support on social media for the killing or sympathized with it. Some even appeared to celebrate it.
Family of the Victim Speaks Out
In a statement, Thompson’s family said he was "an incredibly loving father" to two sons and "will be greatly missed." "We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian," the statement said. "Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives."
Why the Lack of Interest?
Savannah Sparks, who has 1.3 million followers on her TikTok account, said her community has "concepts of thoughts and prayers. It’s, you know, claim denied on my prayers there," referring to rote and unserious condolences. She added that, rather than sleuthing, her community has shown no interest in helping to identify the shooter.
The Investigation Continues
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has released two images of a "person of interest" wanted for questioning regarding the Midtown Manhattan homicide. Investigators believe the shooter may have traveled to New York City from Atlanta last month by bus. Police have found dozens of images from surveillance cameras of the suspect from tracking his timeline in Manhattan. The investigation is ongoing, with a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Conclusion
The lack of interest in finding the killer of Brian Thompson is a rare occurrence in the true-crime world. It may be due to the fact that the victim is a wealthy CEO, which some people may not identify with. The online praise for the killing, however, is a cause for concern. The investigation is ongoing, and the NYPD is seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect.
FAQs
Q: What is the motive behind the killing of Brian Thompson?
A: The motive is not yet clear, but it is believed to be related to his position as CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
Q: Who is the suspect in the case?
A: The suspect has not been identified, but the NYPD has released two images of a "person of interest" wanted for questioning.
Q: What is the current status of the investigation?
A: The investigation is ongoing, with the NYPD seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect.
