Anika Markle On Saturday, Washington Square Park in New York City became the unsettling scene of a lookalike competition for the suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The event, held just days after Thompson’s brutal killing, drew a mix of shock and controversy.
Several attendees arrived dressed to resemble the still-at-large suspect, mimicking the clothing seen in surveillance footage. One particularly controversial moment featured a participant wearing a shirt emblazoned with the words “Deny, Defend, Depose” —a chilling reference to the engraving reportedly found on the bullet casings used in the murder.
The competition’s tone struck many as deeply inappropriate, given the ongoing investigation and the violent nature of the crime. However, for some, it seemed to be a darkly satirical critique of corporate practices in the health insurance industry.
A United Healthcare CEO shooter lookalike competition takes place at Washington Square Park
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The event ignited widespread reactions online, ranging from horror and disgust to curiosity and even approval among critics of the insurance giant. Thompson’s murder has tapped into simmering frustrations with the health care system, turning the CEO’s death into a flashpoint for polarizing debate.
While some saw the contest as an expression of anger against corporate power, others decried it as callous and disrespectful, further exacerbating tensions surrounding the high-profile case.