UnitedHealth Group CEO Shooter: Likely a Disgruntled Amateur in a Broken System. Navy SEAL Sniper’s Analysis.

The recent shooting targeting UnitedHealth Group’s CEO shocked the nation, but as a former Navy SEAL sniper course manager, and someone who’s spent years analyzing high-pressure situations and how it affects people, it’s clear to me this was not the work of a professional assassin.

Instead, the evidence strongly suggests a trained amateur—most likely a disgruntled customer—pushed to the breaking point by the dysfunctional American healthcare system.

Investigators also are looking into words, including “delay” and “deny,” that appear to have been inscribed on casings collected after Brian Thompson was shot outside a Midtown hotel. –From the New York Times

As a father of three, I’ve personally been shocked at how poor the state of healthcare is in America, and most families, even high-income earners, are a serious healthcare tragedy away from being bankrupt by the broken system.

Insurance isn’t insurance; it’s more of a supplement.

As someone who has spent a lot of time in New York, I’ve visited multiple law enforcement agencies and these are some of the finest professionals in America. I have full confidence that the shooter will be found relatively quickly.

So while I am extremely sorry for the family of the CEO this is not surprising and from what I’ve read and seen the shooter is not a hired professional.

Shooter’s Technique Points to Amateur Status

Reports indicate the shooter missed low. For those unfamiliar with firearms and marksmanship, this mistake is a telltale sign of a nervous shooter anticipating recoil or jerking the trigger.

Professionals, whether military, law enforcement, or otherwise, train extensively to avoid these basic errors.

This shooter’s failure to hit a high-value target on the first shot—at such close range—suggests someone who has limited training, probably at a civilian gun range but lacks real-world experience or the discipline of a professional marksman.

You can also see the shooter on video taking a very “range-like” stance, instead of a more dynamic shooting position.

I talk about the extent of high pressure shooter training in my first book, The Red Circle, and the dreaded hooded box drills we’d undergo.

Moreover, a professional would have planned every detail meticulously: entry, egress, backup plans, and a great disguise. A professional would go so far as to even disguise themselves as a different race. JSOC has a great disguise program that would rival Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible. I’ve seen caucasian operators transform into middle eastern men in an instant.

This operation lacked that precision, pointing instead to a motivated amateur—someone angry enough to act but unskilled.

The Healthcare System’s Role in the Tragedy

Let’s address the elephant in the room: America’s healthcare system. It’s no secret that UnitedHealth Group, like other major insurers, has been the subject of criticism for high premiums, denied claims, and bureaucratic hurdles. For millions of Americans, these frustrations aren’t just inconvenient—they’re life-altering. Denied coverage can mean untreated illnesses, financial ruin, or even death.

While no frustration justifies violence, we must acknowledge the likely context.

The Shape of American Healthcare: A Breeding Ground for Resentment

American healthcare is a labyrinth of inefficiencies, inequities, and soaring costs. Despite being one of the wealthiest nations on Earth, the U.S. ranks poorly in access to care, affordability, and outcomes compared to other developed nations.

The consequences? An undercurrent of anger and despair. People work two jobs but still can’t afford their prescriptions. Families go bankrupt trying to pay for life-saving treatments. And when those denied coverage hear about insurance executives taking home multimillion-dollar salaries, it’s not hard to see how resentment brews.

This incident, tragic as it is, should serve as a wake-up call. The healthcare system isn’t just broken—it’s driving people to extremes. Policymakers and corporate executives must take responsibility for the environment they’ve created and the consequences that follow.

One of the real benefits of my personal move to Portugal last year was that EVERYONE has basic health coverage free, and if you want the best quality and choices you pay around $50 a month for incredible health coverage.

A Call for Change

America deserves better than a healthcare system that bankrupts its citizens and leaves them feeling powerless. If there’s a silver lining to be found in this tragedy, it’s the hope that it forces us to confront the systemic issues fueling such desperation.

It’s time to build an American healthcare system that works for everyone.

***For more on the shooting check out our managing editor, Guy McCardle’s piece here.***