UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed in a shooting outside a midtown Manhattan hotel

NEW YORK – UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed in a shooting outside a midtown Manhattan hotel Wednesday morning, the NYPD said.

A spokesperson for UnitedHealthcare told CBS News that the shooting occurred during the company’s investor conference.

Police sources said the 50-year-old CEO was shot once in the chest in what appeared to be a targeted attack. He was taken to Mount Sinai West but did not survive his injuries.

Investigators are now looking for the shooter, who, according to sources, fled wearing a black face mask.

A law enforcement source told CBS News that investigators have video of the shooting and that the suspect appeared to have been waiting for Thompson earlier. He was not robbed and police do not currently have a motive.

Deadly shooting in busy midtown Manhattan

The shooting happened just before 6:45 a.m. outside the Hilton Midtown Hotel on Sixth Avenue near West 54th Street. More than a dozen officers responded, closing West 54th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues to the morning commute.

“We are deeply saddened by the events in the area this morning and our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy,” a hotel spokesman said in a statement.

Located in a busy area, just a few blocks from Rockefeller Center, where the annual event takes place The tree lighting ceremony will take place on Wednesday evening.

A witness said he was sitting in his car when he heard a gunshot.

“I looked at my phone and heard the shot,” he said. “I was shocked, it’s the first time I see a crime right in front of me. Now I’m afraid he might shoot me too.”

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477)or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. You can also submit a tip via their website. All calls are treated confidentially.

Stay with CBS News New York for the latest updates on this developing story.