CEOs panic, fearing for their lives, worrying they could be next as UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot dead

The assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a Manhattan sidewalk has sparked a frenzy of calls to Allied Universal, a security firm that serves 80% of Fortune 500 companies.

Glen Kucera, who leads the firm’s enhanced protection services, said their phones were “ringing off the hook” with potential clients following the execution of Thompson as top business leaders fear for their lives.

Thompson was fatally shot near the Hilton hotel while walking to an investor conference. A masked gunman ambushed him, firing multiple times before fleeing on an e-bike through Central Park. The suspect, who arrived in New York from Atlanta, was caught on surveillance cameras smiling and chatting with a youth hostel receptionist days prior to the attack.

Executives have expressed shock at Thompson’s lack of protection, especially given the frequent threats faced by healthcare leaders over issues like rising costs.

The head of a private security firm who previously provided bodyguards to Thompson was perplexed by the 50-year-old’s lack of security while walking through Manhattan.

“I assure you, that company does have an internal security team and staff, but he was walking solo ” Philip Klein, the head of Klein Investigations said.

“I know they do, they get a lot of threats from people who have been turned down, a lot of threats due to the cost of health care.”

Allied Universal is responding to increased demand for services like on-site guards and chauffeured transportation, which cost upwards of $250,000 annually for full-time executive coverage.

Concerns are heightened as dozens of Fortune 1000 CEOs prepare to attend a summit just blocks from the murder scene at Midtown’s Ziegfeld Ballroom.

UnitedHealth released a statement mourning Thompson’s death, pledging support for his family, ensuring employee safety, and cooperating with law enforcement in the ongoing search for the killer.

“Our priorities are, first and foremost, supporting Brian’s family; ensuring the safety of our employees; and working with law enforcement to bring the perpetrator to justice,” the company said.

The NYPD is investigating a possible message — which appears to include the words “deny,” “depose” and “defend” — engraved on live rounds and shell casings left behind by the masked assassin.

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The FBI had joined the investigation.

The manhunt for the assassin has expanded beyond the five boroughs and perhaps the tri-state area as the NYPD announced that they believe the suspect has left the Big Apple.

“The FBI is assisting the NYPD with the investigation,” a bureau spokesperson said.

The FBI put out a wanted poster Friday night of surveillance images of the suspect previously released by the NYPD and are offering up to a $50,000 award for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.

So far, no one has come forward.