As investigators work to identify the gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Wednesday, the sort of weapon used may have been uncommon for the crime.
Police are investigating if the gunman used a veterinarian pistol, New York Police Department Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters on Friday.
Such firearms are used on farms to discreetly euthanize animals, though Kenny stated that the usage of a veterinary pistol has not been proven.
The gunman fled the scene of the incident and is thought to have left New York City aboard a bus. The firearm has not been recovered, but sources told the New York Post on Saturday that police divers are looking for it in the lake near the Central Park Boathouse.
On Friday, investigators scouring Central Park discovered an unusual backpack that could have belonged to the alleged killer. A source told the Post that the bag contained a jacket and “high-end” clothing.
Security footage shows the attacker firing shots at Thompson with a gun that looked to have a silencer.
According to John Monaghan, a retired NYPD captain, the gunman racked the weapon after each fire to load a new cartridge, then racked it again when it jammed.
“It’s an extremely unique weapon. “The length of the barrel in that video indicates that it is most likely a veterinary pistol,” he continued.
The necessity to manually reload the weapon contrasts with most handguns, which automatically insert a new cartridge into the chamber after a shot is fired, eliminating the need to rack it back by hand.
Meanwhile, authorities are investigating into whether the shooter was a dissatisfied employee or client of UnitedHealthcare. Kenny stated.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest insurer in the United States, covering more than 49 million Americans.
Other indications the suspect may have left behind include a cellphone discovered along the escape path, as well as a water bottle and a protein bar wrapper that have been examined for DNA.
“We are not going to solve this in 60 minutes. “We are meticulously going through every piece of evidence that we can find,” Kenny stated.
“Eventually, when an apprehension is made, we will have to present all of these facts to a judge and jury, so we’re taking our time, doing it right and making sure we’re going to get justice for this victim and closure for his family.”