Newly released photos of UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect Brian Thompson Show a smiling gunman, whose face was previously hidden under a mask. Thompson was killed on Wednesday morning before an investor meeting scheduled for the same day. The photos, taken at a youth hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, come as the NYPD ramps up its search for the shooter, who was seen fleeing the crime scene in the early hours of the morning.

Brian Thompson murder suspect ‘seen smiling’

Police have classified Thompson’s killing as a “targeted killing,” although the motive is unknown and the gunman remains at large. Authorities are offering a $10,000 reward for information about the suspect and his whereabouts. Earlier Thursday, police revealed a photo of the suspect without his mask and head covered in the same hoodie seen in earlier photos, as reported by CNN. . Around 11:20 am ET, the The NYPD X shared two new photos of the killer, one of which shows the suspect smiling.

Also read: Brian Thompson’s murder ‘linked’ to 2010 book with anti-insurance sentiment? A secret message was found on the tablets

“Below are photos of a person of interest wanted for questioning in connection with the Dec. 4 Midtown Manhattan massacre.” Officials said in a post with photos. “This does not appear to be a random act of violence. All indications are that this was a planned, targeted attack,” the statement continued.

Also read: Chilling photos show the suspect pointing a gun at UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson before fatally shooting him.

Earlier, surveillance cameras captured the suspect dressed in black outside the Frederick Douglass Houses. Later, police spotted Thompson at the popular coffee chain Starbucks on West 56th Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan about 30 minutes before his death on Wednesday morning.

The suspect left cryptic messages behind the bullets.

The suspect in the murder of Minnesota-based CEO Brian Thompson is believed to have used a silencer on the weapon during the attack and allegedly left significant clues in an attempt to convey something. The masked individual was seen carrying a “luxury” bag, leaving a shell casing, at the crime scene outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan. According to investigators, the words “denial,” “deposed,” and “defense” were inscribed on the casings.