The shooting occurred around 6:45 AM EST as Thompson prepared to attend an investor conference later in the day. Witnesses reported that Thompson was shot in the back by a masked man who appeared to have been waiting for him outside the hotel. The shooter managed to escape on an electric bicycle after the attack, leaving the scene without taking any of Thompson's belongings, indicating a potentially premeditated crime.

In an effort to identify the assailant, investigators have gathered critical evidence, including surveillance footage showing the suspect at a nearby Starbucks shortly before the shooting. The police are relying on facial recognition technology to analyze the surveillance image, which shows the suspect's eyes and part of his nose despite a black mask covering much of his face. They are also testing bullet casings found at the crime scene for potential DNA matches.

Despite ongoing investigations, the motive behind this shooting remains elusive. Thompson’s wife mentioned that her husband had received threats, which she believes could be connected, but further details were not available. Notably, Thompson had experienced a suspicious incident at his Minnesota residence in 2018, which was resolved without any criminal findings.

As the New York City Police Department intensifies its search for the gunman, they encourage anyone with information to come forward, underscoring the urgency to resolve this disturbing case involving a high-profile executive’s death.