Head of billion-dollar company shot dead on the street

New York (USA) - A shocking act of bloodshed on the street - in the heart of the US metropolis of New York.

The crime took place early Wednesday morning (local time) in the New York borough of Manhattan.
The crime took place early Wednesday morning (local time) in the New York borough of Manhattan.  © Niyi Fote/Zuma Press/dpa

Brian Thompson (50), head of the billion-dollar "UnitedHealth" group, was killed by an as yet unknown gunman in the Manhattan borough on Wednesday.

According to media reports, a masked man intercepted the 50-year-old in front of the Hilton Hotel at around 6.46 a.m. (local time) and fired several shots at him.

More on this shortly.