Man questioned in Pennsylvania over gun similar to one used in UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting, sources say

Authorities are questioning a man in central Pennsylvania in connection to the slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, law enforcement sources said Monday.

The man in Altoona drew the attention of investigators, in part, because he was found with a gun similar to the one used in last Wednesday’s deadly shooting, two sources familiar with the matter told NBC News.

Thompson was gunned down in front of the New York Hilton Midtown, about 280 miles from Altoona, by a masked assailant who approached from behind.

The killer opened fire at around 6:45 a.m., surveillance footage showed, before fleeing on foot and then on a bike into Central Park, authorities said. The last footage of the alleged gunman put him at bus depot in Upper Manhattan, police said.

Thompson’s slaying sent shock waves throughout the corporate and health care worlds, raising questions about appropriate security for top level executives.

The shooting also exposed a deep, ugly resentment against private health care companies as social media feeds were flooded with posts celebrating — or at least justifying — Thompson’s slaying.