The assailant who shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson is still on the loose, but new evidence is emerging, including items from a backpack thought to belong to the perpetrator. Sources reported to MSNBC on Saturday that a backpack discovered in Central Park contained a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and Monopoly currency. However, there was no firearm […]
The assailant who shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson is still on the loose, but new evidence is emerging, including items from a backpack thought to belong to the perpetrator.
Sources reported to MSNBC on Saturday that a backpack discovered in Central Park contained a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and Monopoly currency. However, there was no firearm included. This was later confirmed by various news sources.
The New York Police Department has yet to respond to a request for comment.
Advertisement
Advertisement
On Saturday, police divers were scouring a Central Park lake for the weapon, with the NYPD stating that the gun utilized in the assault on Thompson might have been a veterinary pistol.
Photographs of the gunman depicted him with a notable backpack, which immediately drew attention as a potential lead in identifying him. CNN noted that the backpack was indeed manufactured by Peak Design, and authorities have analyzed it in a forensic lab in Queens.
The discovery of Monopoly money has sparked speculation that it could symbolize a cryptic message, especially since bullet casings recovered from the crime scene featured the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose,” seemingly linked to practices within the insurance sector.
Former homicide detective from Washington, D.C., Ted Williams shared with Fox News that the Monopoly money indicates the “killer is playing games with law enforcement. It’s all part of a cat and mouse game.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
He elaborated, “This assailant was aware that the backpack would likely be discovered, and he is leaving hints to show [the] authorities that he holds the upper hand, not them.”
On social media, many speculated that the Monopoly money could serve as a political statement, noting that the creator of the game originally designed it to critique capitalism.
The backpack adds to an increasing collection of evidence gathered thus far, which includes surveillance images of the suspect, a cellphone located along the escape route, and a water bottle alongside a protein bar wrapper, both of which have been subjected to DNA testing.
Correction, Dec. 8, 2024: A prior iteration of this article incorrectly identified one of the words on the bullet casings.
This article was originally published on Fortune.com
