Summary
The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The gunman, who arrived in New York City on November 24th, shot Thompson on December 4th outside a hotel hosting an investor conference.
Investigators believe the gunman, who concealed his identity with a mask, fled the city on a bus, leaving behind a backpack in Central Park.
They’re doing it because the guy on the run crossed state lines. That makes it federal, so the FBI has jurisdiction and it’s easier for them to work cross-border than the NYPD. It’s getting more resources because it’s a highly publicized case. I’m sure there’s some pressure from some wealthy and/or powerful people as well to find whoever did it, but it’s not surprising that the FBI is involved now.
And surely they offer $50k every time they believe a murder suspect has crossed state lines, right? Every single time?
They offer money for a lot of cases, yes. Up to 5 million for most wanted.
https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/newyork/news/up-to-5-million-reward-offer-for-information-leading-to-arrest-and-or-conviction-of-ten-most-wanted-fugitive-cryptoqueen-ruja-ignatova
Probably when it’s as important to them as thing given the reaction it got from the public