Medica closes Minnetonka headquarters following UnitedHealth CEO’s murder

Medica announced the temporary closure of its headquarters in Minnetonka following the tragic murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City.

The decision, described as a precautionary measure, highlights the heightened concern for employee safety in the wake of Thompson’s death.

“The safety of Medica employees is our top priority, and we have increased security for all our employees,” Medica said in a statement to Alpha News on Friday. “Although we have received no specific threats related to our campuses, our office buildings will be temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution.”

Employees at Medica, a health insurance provider, will work remotely during the closure.
A company spokesperson emphasized confidence in the organization’s ability to maintain operations, citing prior experience with remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Medica is confident in our employees’ ability to work from home given our experience with the recent pandemic,” said the statement.

Security tightened at Medica

In addition to closing its offices, Medica has taken further precautions, including removing executive bios from its website. This measure was implemented for the “same precautionary reasons as the building closures,” the company said.

While the closure is temporary, Medica did not provide a timeline for reopening. “The closing is temporary and will reopen when appropriate,” the company stated.

Thompson’s murder prompts national manhunt

The closure comes as authorities continue the manhunt for the suspect believed to have gunned down Thompson early Wednesday morning outside a Manhattan hotel.

As of Friday, authorities believe the suspect has left New York City and could be anywhere, according to Fox News.

Thompson, a Maple Grove resident, was en route to an investors’ conference where he was scheduled to speak.

Footage obtained by Fox News shows the suspect riding a bicycle in Manhattan’s Upper West Side neighborhood shortly after the shooting. Another image, taken before the attack, shows the man with without a mask speaking with a hostel staff member.

Thompson and his wife, Paulette, shared two teenage sons but lived in separate homes in Maple Grove.

Jenna Gloeb

Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.