Fake bomb threat targets homes of insurance executive killed in NYC: Police

(The Hill) — Two residences owned by the family of slain UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson were targeted Wednesday evening in what police are describing as a “swatting” incident, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.

The Maple Grove Police Department said Thursday it received a report of a bomb threat at approximately 7 p.m. on Wednesday at two residences in the Minneapolis suburb. The Tribune said Hennepin County property records showed the homes belonged to Thompson and his wife, Paulette Thompson.

The threat was sent in an email to multiple people, who in turn alerted law enforcement, according to incident reports.

The Maple Grove Police Department was assisted by the Minneapolis Bomb Squad and the Hennepin County sheriff’s office in responding to the threat, according to police.

“No devices or suspicious items were located during the investigation,” police said in a statement. ”The case is considered an active investigation, while the incident appears to be a hoax."

The Hill has reached out to the Maple Grove Police Department for additional details.

The threats were made several hours after Thompson was gunned down in New York City on Wednesday, ahead of a scheduled investor meeting at a hotel in Midtown Manhattan.

Thompson was approached from behind and shot multiple times, including in the back and his calf, according to New York City police. Thompson was transported to a local hospital, where he died approximately 30 minutes later from the gunshot wounds.

Police have described the shooting as “targeted,” noting the suspect appeared to wait for Thompson for several minutes before opening fire, ignoring other pedestrians who passed by.

The suspect remains at large, after fleeing the scene into an alleyway before getting on an e-bike that he took into Central Park.

Police released images Thursday of a person of interest wanted for questioning and are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.