UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, was shot to death on a cold Wednesday morning outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel. What followed was not a routine criminal investigation but an unexpected and disturbing reaction in social media that raised many serious doubts about public sentiment.
The unknown gunman turned out to become an unlikely online personality. A surveillance camera picture of him reveals him to wear a hooded jacket and another whose similarity was strangely compared to Hollywood actors. Some are already buying their versions of the hoodie that he wore in wanted posters.
What really received widespread attention online was the words reportedly found on the bullet casings: “depose,” “deny,” and “delay.” It seems that these words may be a possible attack on the practices of the insurance company, especially in processing claims.
Social Media’s Troubling Response After the Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO
The killing has witnessed some unsettling trends after its commission. While some have been strangely active in support of law enforcement,
- Posting supportive comments of the shooter.
- Something like negative reviews at the hostel where the suspect might have stayed.
- Holding look-alike contests honoring the shooter
A recent look-alike contest in Washington Square Park attracted about 30 people and included as the winner a 39-year-old data entry worker for a labor union who proclaimed aloud that the shooter did the right thing. One participant sported a jacket with the words “deny, defend, depose” painted on it, evoking a growing feeling.
A deeper societal tension
Experts like Alex Goldenberg from the Network Contagion Research Institute are extremely worried. Analyzing social media, they found that six of the ten most engaged posts on shooting either supported the killing or denounced the victim.
Then noted Goldenberg, this phenomenon goes beyond typical online behavior. As he explained, “It’s framed as this opening blow in a broader class war,” and such rhetoric may inspire similar violent acts.
Lost in this sensationalism is Brian Thompson’s human story. He was a husband and father of two whose life was brutally cut short. The police are still looking for his murderer who is believed to have left the city shortly after he was dispatched by bus.
The shooting and bombing have already raised corporate safety issues, particularly in the pharmaceutical and insurance firms. Even hours after the shooting, private security officers were talking about improved protection.
A Spreading Narrative
Social networking has had the message reportedly penned by the shooter start spreading on streets more lately. In Philadelphia, these same words- “depose”, “deny”, “delay”- were sprayed on an overhang today, suggesting the incident touches a broader nerve about purported injustice served by corporate entities.
The Investigation Continues
Law enforcement has confiscated all of the following:
- A lost backpack in Central Park
- A DNA-rich water bottle was found at the crime site.
- CCTV footage filmed the suspect in several places, even at a local hostel.
According to video evidence, police believe the suspect left the city by bus an hour after the incident as the man entered a bus depot.
While the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO undoubtedly involves serious crime, the public reaction simply suggests underlying frustrations with the healthcare system. Gurus, however, warn that gliding on violence is never the best solution to systemic problems.
The case depicts a balanced complexity of public opinion, corporate culture, and social media’s go-to ability. Police continue their pursuit of the suspect and carry on with justice concerning Brian Thompson and his loved ones.
