NYPD releases photos of person of interest in UnitedHealthcare CEO murder case as search continues

The New York Police Department (NYPD) is conducting a manhunt for the person responsible for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and released images of a person of interest in the case on Thursday.

The shooter was allegedly wearing a facemask at the time of the shooting, but the department released photos of a person of interest that were taken without the man's mask on. Thompson was fatally shot upon his arrival at a hotel in Manhattan on Wednesday morning where he was set to host his company’s annual investor conference.

Law enforcement officers claimed they found a three-word message on bullet casings used by the masked killer of Thompson, according to an ABC News report. The words were "deny," "defend" and "depose," police sources said in the report.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the shooting a "targeted attack." 

"The full investigative efforts of the NYPD are continuing, and we are asking for the public’s help," the department posted on X. "There is a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction."

Law enforcement sources told Fox News that the suspect used a fake ID to check into a nearby hostel. They are also looking into a water bottle the person of interest allegedly used that was left at a Starbucks. Officials are hoping to pull DNA from the bottle to build a suspect profile.

The suspect has not yet been arrested.