MINNEAPOLIS — In a video message to employees, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty called the murder of his colleague Brian Thompson “immeasurably sad” and “profoundly shocking” and encouraged workers to take time and care while processing the fatal ambush of the company leader this week on a New York City sidewalk.

“I’d like to ask you all to look out for yourselves,” Witty said in the message. “This is a moment where, in among everything else, we’re reminded of the fragility of families, of individuals, and the importance that that really represents. So, first and foremost, please put that first — take the time to be with the people who are important to you.”

Witty’s video message, first reported Friday by CNN, came as the manhunt continued for the killer who repeatedly shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Thompson as he made his way to a company investor conference. As of Friday afternoon, police were testing DNA from a water bottle the suspect may have used, and examining a fake New Jersey ID and a cellphone that may be connected to the suspect, the New York Times reported.

In the Twin Cities, the health insurer Medica said it had temporarily closed its Minnetonka headquarters as a precaution, one of several steps being taken by local health plan companies to boost worker safety in the face of mounting online anger that’s being directed at insurers. It also temporarily shut down offices in Duluth, Fargo, Madison, Wis., and Omaha, with closures extending through Dec. 13.

“We considered the workplace safety of our employees in making that decision,” a Medica spokesman said via email Thursday evening. “The step was taken out of an abundance of caution.”

A UnitedHealth Group statement Friday said the company was partnering with law enforcement to ensure a safe work environment and reinforce security guidelines and building access policies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota said it had elevated security measures at its headquarters and asked employees to remain aware and vigilant and report any unusual activity.

Insurers and other industries across the country are taking steps to reduce the visibility of top executives following the lethal attack on Thompson. Medica and UnitedHealthcare have taken down web pages with information about top executives, as have other other health insurers across the country.

At Minneapolis-based UCare, company headquarters remain open, but the insurer’s front door is now locked. Officials are evaluating comprehensive security policies and precautions to see where they could be strengthened and meeting with industry groups to discuss best practices.

“Of course Brian Thompson’s murder — and the ensuing vitriol on social media — sent shockwaves throughout our industry,” UCare said in a statement. “We have no reason to believe there is any danger specifically to our team. At the same time, there is a general feeling of vulnerability and concern.”

Police have released several images of a person of interest in the case, including images of his face that were obtained from surveillance camera footage from a nearby hostel.

Authorities believe the man arrived in New York via bus from Atlanta on Nov. 24 and checked into the hostel using the fake ID, the New York Times reported, quoting an unidentified senior law enforcement official. After the shooting, the suspect fled to Central Park on bike, and later exited on the park’s west side without a distinctive backpack he was wearing during the shooting.

Friday afternoon, CNN quoted police commissioner Jessica Tisch saying there’s reason to believe the person of interest has left New York City.

Investigators in Thompson’s killing found the word “deny” written on one of the bullet casings found at the crime scene, potentially referring to denied health insurance claims. The executive’s widow told NBC News this week that Thompson had received threats possibly linked to coverage denials.

Police have not speculated publicly about a motive for Thompson’s killing, but they’ve said the killer appears to have intentionally targeted the UnitedHealthcare chief executive as he was entering a building for an annual investor conference.

Health insurance denials are a difficult reality in the industry. Some are needed to combat fraud and abuse or ensure documentation is correctly completed. Other denials spark bitter feuds with health care providers who suspect insurers are aggressively searching for ways to get out of paying for needed care.

These tensions are well-known within health care. Even so, some industry officials have expressed surprise and dismay this week at the degree of animosity displayed online.

In the days since parent company UnitedHealth Group posted a message of sorrow about Thompson’s killing on its Facebook page, users reacted with the laughing emoji 81,000 times.

In the video, Witty said workers needing help could utilize the company’s employee assistance program and other resources.

“I’m acutely aware that this has a huge impact for everybody across the organization,” he said. “Whether Brian was a friend, or a colleague, or a mentor, your boss, or just somebody you happened to know the name of, the circumstances of his death are profoundly shocking and disturbing. It might make you feel nervous. It might make you feel anxious and certainly may be very disturbing.”

The Twin Cities is a big health insurance town.

Medica employs about 3,000 people overall, with most workers in Minnesota, while UCare employs about 1,700. Eagan-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota employs about 3,000 people.

At least 19,000 Minnesotans work at UnitedHealth Group, and thousands more work in the health plan division of Bloomington-based HealthPartners.

The suburb of Minnetonka, in particular, has a large concentration of health insurance workers between Medica and UnitedHealth Group.

U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, the congressman whose district includes the community, took to social media Friday to suggest workers at insurance companies are caught up in much larger problems in the nation’s health care system.

“UnitedHealth is based in my district and employs 1000′s of my constituents,” Phillips wrote on X. “Like other insurers, they play by rules allowing the industry to net >$100 billion/year while patients go bankrupt from medical debt. The real culprit is Congress and money in politics, and it’s time for change.”

On Thursday night, UnitedHealth Group didn’t address the discord in its first public statement since Witty abruptly closed the company’s New York investor conference on Wednesday. The company requested privacy for Thompson’s family as they mourn.

“While our hearts are broken, we have been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place,” the statement said. “So many patients, consumers, health care professionals, associations, government officials and other caring people have taken time out of their day to reach out. We are thankful, even as we grieve.”

Steve Nelson, a former UnitedHealthcare executive who is now CEO of health insurance giant Aetna, said he and Thompson became friends over many years at United, particularly a six-year span when they worked closely together.

Thompson was down-to-earth and had a good sense of humor, Nelson recalled. His relatable and approachable manner took many forms, including a preference for nicknames — Billy instead of William, Shoe instead of Schumacher.

“He was self-deprecating and never strayed far from his roots of just being that kid from Iowa with a lot of compassion and a huge heart,” said Nelson, whose company is a division of Rhode Island-based CVS Health.

In an interview, Nelson said he didn’t want to speculate on what drove the shooter’s actions.

“I know him personally,” Nelson said of Thompson. “I know the work that companies like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna do. These are people that are trying really hard to provide quality, affordable, accessible health care and I just — I know that for a fact. ... It’s senseless and tragic.”

In his video, Witty didn’t address possible motives for the shooter, either, instead stressing steps the company is taking to support and protect Thompson’s family. He also described the company’s path ahead.

“We will work through this together,” he said. “But it’s going to be difficult and life won’t be the same again within ... UnitedHealth Group. But it will go on. And we will be effective. And we will continue to help people across the country improve their access to and experience of health care.”

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