Authorities found a backpack containing Monopoly money and a jacket, believed to belong to the masked assassin who fatally shot UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson, as the investigation into the brazen attack intensifies.

The discovery of the backpack in Central Park, which lacked a firearm but included items potentially linked to the shooter, adds a critical piece to the investigation into Thompson's murder. The targeted attack, executed in broad daylight as Thompson departed for an investor event, underscores a growing concern over threats directed at high-profile figures, especially since Thompson had reportedly received warnings prior to his death. With the FBI now involved, investigators are racing against time to analyze clues left at the scene and trace the assassin, who is believed to have fled the city on a bus shortly after the shooting.

Brian Thompson was gunned down outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown as he walked to an investor event without any security detail. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots as the shooter approached from behind, striking Thompson in the back and right calf before fleeing the scene. The shooter used a firearm with a silencer.

In the days leading up to his murder, Thompson's wife revealed that her husband had been receiving threats, raising concerns about his safety. This context provides a chilling background to the attack, suggesting that Thompson may have been targeted due to his position at UnitedHealth, a leading healthcare company. The investigation aims to uncover not just the motive behind the assassination but also the identities of those who may have orchestrated or incited these threats.

The backpack was located in Central Park, south of the carousel near Heckscher playground. This location is not far from the crime scene, suggesting a pre-planned escape route for the assassin. The absence of a firearm in the backpack, along with the peculiar inclusion of Monopoly money, poses questions about the motive behind the attack. Investigators are keen to determine whether these items were left as a sign or if they bear any significance to a broader plan.

In examining the crime scene, police found bullet casings inscribed with terms such as 'deny,' 'depose,' and 'defend,' which may provide key insights into the shooter's mindset or potential connections to Thompson. These engravings suggest a calculated act with possible references to legal or adversarial themes, indicating a complex underlying narrative that will require further exploration by authorities.

Authorities described the killing as a 'brazen, targeted attack.' Such an assessment highlights the perceived audacity of the shooter, who executed the crime without apparent regard for the number of witnesses present. The use of a bicycle for the escape allows for a rapid exit from the vicinity, making the investigation all the more challenging as they pursue leads related to this getaway method.

Following the incident, the shooter is believed to have fled through Central Park on a bike, subsequently boarding a bus to Atlanta. This route complicates the investigation, as the FBI is now coordinating with local authorities to track down any leads that may surface on the suspect’s whereabouts. The manhunt is likely to focus on transit facilities as well as potential contacts the shooter may have had in Atlanta.

In addition to the backpack, investigators are meticulously analyzing other clues left behind at the scene, including a water bottle and a discarded cellphone. These items may yield forensic evidence that could identify the assailant or provide further context regarding the planning of the attack. Retired FBI agents indicated that the backpack will also undergo forensic testing for clues including DNA, which may link the shooter to the crime.

The investigation remains in its early stages, but the implications of this high-profile homicide resonate beyond the immediate tragedy. As the FBI joins the manhunt, there is an increasing urgency to unravel the circumstances surrounding Thompson's murder. Authorities are determined to bring justice to the victim's family while ensuring that the motives behind this targeted assault are thoroughly examined.