The masked gunman was “lying in wait” outside the Hilton Midtown shortly before 7 a.m. Wednesday, according to New York police commissioner Jessica Tisch, as Thompson made his way to the hotel to attend his company’s annual investor conference.
When Thompson approached the building, a dark-hooded figure with a gray backpack appeared several feet behind the executive and shot him in the back, surveillance video obtained by CNN shows.
Thompson then stumbled forward before turning to face the assailant and falling to the ground. The gunman calmly walked toward the CEO and continued to shoot –– appearing to clear a jam with the firearm momentarily before shooting again, video shows.
Thompson was pronounced dead less than half an hour after the incident, and the search for the gunman, who fled into Central Park, continues Thursday.
Police are combing through surveillance video and examining clues the gunman may have left while fleeing the scene.
The words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were found on the shell casings discovered at the scene of the shooting, ABC News reported, citing police sources.
CNN has reached out to the New York Police Department, which declined to comment.
