After the CEO of UnitedHealthcare was shot dead in what appeared to be a deliberate attack, a gunman is still at large, according to a law enforcement official.

 UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning in what authorities describe as a targeted attack, just as he was en route to the company’s annual investor conference. The gunman remains at large, according to law enforcement officials.

Thompson, 50, was walking toward the New York Hilton Hotel on West 53rd Street and 6th Avenue, dressed in a suit and tie, when the attack occurred. The masked assailant, concealed against the freezing temperatures, had reportedly waited about 10 minutes before Thompson’s arrival. From approximately 20 feet away, the gunman fired multiple shots, striking Thompson in the chest.

Emergency responders rushed Thompson to Mount Sinai West Hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead, according to the NYPD.

The suspect fled the scene through an alleyway and escaped on a bicycle, officials said. Police believe he may have entered Central Park. Investigators continue to canvas the area, but no arrests have been made.

A parking garage manager near the scene told CNN he didn’t hear any gunshots, which officials attribute to the use of a silencer. 

“This appears to have been a targeted shooting,” the NYPD stated. Details surrounding the motive remain unclear, and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities plan to provide an update at an 11:30 a.m. briefing.

UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, abruptly canceled its investor conference following the incident, citing “a very serious medical situation with one of our team members” but did not provide further comment. Thompson had served as UnitedHealthcare’s CEO since April 2021, leading a key division of the Fortune 500-ranked company.

The shocking attack has prompted an outpouring of condolences. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described Thompson’s death as “a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota.” Senator Amy Klobuchar called the incident “horrifying and shocking,” expressing sympathy for Thompson’s family and UnitedHealthcare employees. Congressman Dean Phillips of Minnesota’s 3rd District referred to the shooting as an “assassination” and offered prayers for Thompson’s loved ones.

CNN has reached out to UnitedHealthcare for additional comments.