The UnitedHealthcare Gunman Understands the Surveillance State

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/12/unitedhealthcare-ceo-assassination-investigation/680903/

created by indig0sixalpha on 06/12/2024 at 21:37 UTC

25878 upvotes, 68 top-level comments (showing 25)

Comments

Comment by The_Ombudsman at 06/12/2024 at 22:22 UTC

10427 upvotes, 8 direct replies

The one thing he forgot was that movie trope of hiring a bunch of strangers to dress the same and show up in Union Square all at the same time.

Comment by The_Box_muncher at 06/12/2024 at 22:18 UTC

3588 upvotes, 5 direct replies

This article sucked.

Gives zero details on what steps he took to hide under the surveillance state and just goes. "Man this guys good at being on the run we don't know who he is!"

Comment by Black_Label_36 at 06/12/2024 at 21:42 UTC

3219 upvotes, 7 direct replies

Can we just give him a nickname already?

Comment by NicestPersonAlive at 06/12/2024 at 22:34 UTC

4341 upvotes, 4 direct replies

Not only that but there’s a campaign to overwhelm the tip lines with fake tips to help him

Comment by TheSleepingPoet at 06/12/2024 at 21:53 UTC

6596 upvotes, 9 direct replies

SUMMARY

A gunman who assassinated UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a busy New York City street remains at large, despite the city’s extensive surveillance network. The attacker’s ability to evade identification highlights how criminals can exploit the predictability of modern surveillance.

Using a silenced firearm and an e-bike for a quick escape, the gunman avoided immediate detection and minimised facial recognition risks even in released hostel photos. By leaving cryptic evidence, such as inscribed shell casings, he has overwhelmed investigators with public tips while shaping a narrative that some have linked to criticisms of the health-insurance industry.

The case reveals vulnerabilities in the surveillance state, where visibility doesn’t always guarantee accountability.

Comment by 8bitmorals at 06/12/2024 at 21:50 UTC

1951 upvotes, 6 direct replies

We literally had a game that trained us to do this 100% , even dressed the same way and all.

Comment by SillyFalcon at 07/12/2024 at 00:15 UTC

489 upvotes, 2 direct replies

I think we absolutely need to stop wondering about the who and the why here, and marvel a little bit at the how. This was meticulously planned and the shooter intended to get away clean. The fact that he’s still a mystery figure 48 hours later is remarkable.

Comment by Vegetable_Today_2575 at 06/12/2024 at 22:13 UTC

416 upvotes, 2 direct replies

The Adjustment Bureau

Comment by bwayned70 at 06/12/2024 at 23:56 UTC

200 upvotes, 1 direct replies

may the wind be at his back

Comment by moreobviousthings at 07/12/2024 at 04:17 UTC

97 upvotes, 2 direct replies

Twice in two days I watched a cop on TV talking about what an amateur the guy is. They haven’t found him yet, so who’s the amateur? LOL

Comment by EmotionalGroup1973 at 06/12/2024 at 22:54 UTC

3979 upvotes, 4 direct replies

It's actually disgusting that they are using every resource available to find this guy. Why is this more important than every other murder that day...

This is the first thing that Americans have agreed on in years🤷🏼‍♀️

Comment by Invictus23_ at 07/12/2024 at 00:31 UTC

90 upvotes, 1 direct replies

This story is legitimately so fascinating.

Comment by Santa_Says_Who_Dis at 06/12/2024 at 23:53 UTC

307 upvotes, 1 direct replies

It sounds like the shooter understand two things that should not be happening:

1. Insurance companies for healthcare existing to deny claims.

2. The government spying on people.

Comment by lastdancerevolution at 07/12/2024 at 00:14 UTC

679 upvotes, 5 direct replies

The gunman has succeeded in avoiding identification in part by understanding how technology is used and what its limits are. This killing raises the possibility that our surveillance network—an intricate web meant to enhance public safety and private security—has become so obvious and intrusive that criminal perpetrators can figure out how to dodge it.

This writer is an idiot.

What are they advocating for? A surveillance state led by insurance corporations that kill thousands of Americans on purpose in hospitals meant to save them? Fuck the surveillance state.

Comment by Helpful_Barnacle_563 at 06/12/2024 at 22:07 UTC

394 upvotes, 2 direct replies

THE ACTUARY

Comment by theanedditor at 06/12/2024 at 22:11 UTC*

723 upvotes, 5 direct replies

I'm surprised there's not a "Thomas Crowne" effect of people in NY all dressing in black and wearing gray backpacks, filling surveillance reports with the suspect profile everywhere.

^(Edit: typo)

Comment by Kindly_Log9771 at 07/12/2024 at 01:43 UTC

63 upvotes, 1 direct replies

He ain’t on the run. Mans showed up to his 9-5 and is chillin hahahaha

Comment by jimmyjrsickmoves at 06/12/2024 at 22:14 UTC

139 upvotes, 2 direct replies

What a stupid article.

Comment by jBlairTech at 06/12/2024 at 23:26 UTC

136 upvotes, 2 direct replies

Hasn’t it been over 48 hours? Doesn’t that mean it’s going to be exponentially harder to find him? Or, is that just stuff they tell families with missing kids, when they don’t want to expend the workforce any longer?

Comment by sunplaysbass at 07/12/2024 at 01:11 UTC*

32 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Rich people are probably shitting them self seeing the completely casual open support for this guy.

Comment by [deleted] at 07/12/2024 at 03:04 UTC

76 upvotes, 1 direct replies

NYC and the NYPD are showing their hands here. Eventually, they will assemble a full movie of this guy's actions during his stay in the city, where he went before, during, and after the shooting...and then what? They can't solve all the other murders and crimes the same way? People with murdered friends and relatives, victims of assaults and rape will have every right to DEMAND the same excruciating, painstaking response. This tech, this surveillance won't evaporate after this billionaire's murderer is apprehended. Citizens should DEMAND this same response every time.

Comment by HappyFk2024 at 06/12/2024 at 22:40 UTC

174 upvotes, 2 direct replies

I almost hope he’s caught just so he can be found not guilty but a jury. Just kidding. He’s a hero. Hope he gets away.

Comment by balrog687 at 06/12/2024 at 23:27 UTC

26 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Where can I buy the same jacket and backpack?

Comment by toddh39 at 07/12/2024 at 13:34 UTC

26 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Their CEO’s death is getting more coverage than United Healtcare ever provided.

Comment by sids99 at 06/12/2024 at 22:17 UTC

394 upvotes, 5 direct replies

I read that 50% of all murders in the US go unsolved. So, this guy already had a 50/50 chance of getting away with it.