Former FBI Agent Dismisses Theory Brian Thompson Hired His Own Assassin: 'What An Idiotic Thing To Say'

A former FBI agent rejected a theory as "idiotic" raised by a former Maryland State Police Commander that UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson may have hired an assassin to kill him on a New York City street this week.

"What an idiotic thing to say," retired FBI special agent Jennifer Coffindaffer wrote on X, linking to the interview on CNN.

"Keeping it real Friday," she added.

In an interview with CNN's Dana Bash, Neill Franklin said, "We can't leave one stone unturned as it relates the motive" in Thompson's killing.

Investigators have released a number of photos and videos of the gunman in Thompson's death but have not made an arrest.

The NYPD now believes the man left the city hours after Wednesday morning's shooting outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan.

"I want to say something else that I know these criminal investigators are looking into as it relates to motive," Franklin said Friday on "Inside Politics."

"There have been times when people have orchestrated their own demise for certain reasons," adding that "I'm not saying this is the case" and noting that he was speaking as an investigator.

Bash questioned whether Thompson arranged for his own killing for "insurance purposes."

"Absolutely, insurance purposes," Franklin responded.

"You know, maybe they fear some type of investigation down the road. Maybe they want to leave their family in a good light. But there have been cases where people have orchestrated their own demise," he said.

Franklin also said the shooter was well informed about Thompson's movements and precisely when and where he would be that morning."He was lying in wait," Franklin said about the suspect.

"Who would have that specific type of information as to what sidewalk he was going to be on?" he noted.