However, authorities said that the motivation is yet unclear. Detectives from the New York Police Department said they were trying to ascertain if the statements were intended as a message from the gunman or as a clue to his motivation.
The shooter approached the CEO from behind, aimed his weapon at him, and shot, as shown on camera.
Thompson staggered and fell to the ground, and a witness ran away. The shooter then approached Thompson and fired a few more shots before running away.
According to sources who spoke to ABC News, the gunman was seen on camera outside the public housing complex known as Frederick Douglass Houses on the Upper West Side around five in the morning of the shooting.
