A lookalike contest inspired by the unidentified shooter who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson took place in New York City on Saturday, drawing criticism for appearing to celebrate the brazen crime.
Held in Washington Square Park, the event reportedly promised a $50 cash prize to the participant who best resembled the shooter, according to the New York Post.
Contestants dressed in hooded outfits and masks mimicking the suspect’s appearance from surveillance footage, with one participant donning a shirt emblazoned with the words Deny, Defend, and Depose—terms reportedly engraved on the bullet casings found at the crime scene. These phrases reference tactics often associated with insurance companies denying claims.
One guy extremely matched the assassin’s outfit but his facial features don’t.
New Yorkers are holding fashion show competition to celebrate the assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompsonpic.twitter.com/sWjrltUK7H
— Resist Times (@resistupdates) December 7, 2024
The event follows a string of viral lookalike contests in New York City, beginning with an October gathering for Timothée Chalamet enthusiasts in Washington Square Park.
That event attracted widespread attention, including a surprise appearance by Chalamet himself, before being shut down by police due to the unpermitted crowd.
Similar contests for other public figures have since become a trend, often blending lighthearted humor with social commentary.
However, this latest competition has sparked outrage for its apparent insensitivity, given the violent nature of the crime it mimics.
Footage from the event, captured by Freedom News TV, showed a lively crowd gathering to vote on the best impersonation. The contest comes amid a disturbing wave of online admiration for the unidentified shooter.
Social media users have shared memes and posts applauding the crime, with some even praising the suspect’s appearance after a viral surveillance photo showed him smiling while checking in to a hostel prior to the murder.
Law enforcement released the image in hopes of identifying the suspect, who remains at large.
Thompson was fatally shot on Wednesday morning outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Surveillance footage shows the hooded suspect using what appeared to be a suppressed handgun to execute the attack before fleeing on an electric bike.
The crime has captivated national attention, not only for its calculated nature but also for the polarizing public response.
While many condemn the act, others view it as a broader critique of the U.S. healthcare system and insurance practices, with online discourse framing the shooter’s actions as a statement against corporate exploitation.
Authorities continue their search for the suspect, urging the public to provide any information that could lead to his arrest. Meanwhile, the lookalike contest has ignited debates about the line between satire and glorification of violence in a social media-driven age.