CEO's killer inscribed messages on cartridges CEO's killer inscribed messages on cartridges

NEW YORK - The masked gunman who stalked and killed the leader of one of the largest U.S. health insurance companies outside a Manhattan hotel used ammunition emblazoned with the words "deny," "defend" and "depose," two law enforcement officials said Thursday.

The words were written in permanent marker, according to one of the officials, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. Police also released photos of a person they said was wanted for questioning in connection with the shooting.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, died in a dawn ambush Wednesday as he walked to the company's annual investor conference at a Hilton hotel in Midtown. Investigators believe it was a targeted attack.

The message left on the ammunition echoes the phrase "delay, deny, defend," which is commonly used by attorneys and insurance industry critics to describe tactics used to avoid paying claims. It refers to insurers delaying payment, denying a claim and then defending their actions. Health insurers like UnitedHealthcare are frequent targets of criticism from doctors and patients for complicating access to care.