The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson isn’t just the loss of one life. It shattered families, broke trust, and left a void in our community. Having lived and worked in Minneapolis from 2003 to 2023, not far from where he lived, I understand how violence of this kind reverberates beyond immediate families. It shakes neighborhoods, workplaces, and the shared sense of safety we all rely on.
Thompson grew up in Jewell, Iowa, a town of 1,200 people. He embodied the promise of a life shaped by decency and hard work. His accused killer, Luigi Mangione, had his own potential. But one violent act ended Thompson’s life and cast Mangione’s family into grief and shame. Violence wastes everything it touches.
This tragedy reflects a larger pattern we know too well. From the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. to the recent killing of Shinzo Abe, the loss of life — whether tied to power or personal vendettas — devastates families and communities alike. Each act, regardless of scale, leaves deep scars.
These events are not isolated. Workplace violence is now the second leading cause of occupational death in the United States, with nearly 2 million workers reporting incidents each year, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 78% of workplace homicides involve firearms. Even systemic failures, like lack of access to healthcare, lead to 68,000 preventable deaths annually. Whether through direct violence or neglect, the cost is the same: lives cut short, futures stolen, and communities fractured.
Lessons from preparedness
After 9/11, I directed security research for North American utilities, focusing on safeguarding critical infrastructure. In 2009, I created the Master of Science in Security Technologies program at the University of Minnesota to address risks through a systemic approach. These experiences taught me that protecting lives requires preparation, vigilance and decisive action.
Here are six principles that guide effective prevention:
- Assess Risks — Act Early: Vulnerabilities must be identified and addressed before they escalate. Early intervention often disrupts plans entirely.
Example: In 2013, encrypted messages revealed a plot to assassinate a German politician. Swift action prevented the attack.
Fact: 67% of attackers study their targets for weeks or months before acting (Secret Service, 2021). - Profile Behavior — Spot Patterns: Signs of stress, grievances, or obsessive focus often reveal potential danger. Behavioral profiling can identify these before they escalate.
Example: The Unabomber was apprehended after his manifesto was linked to earlier writings. Pattern recognition played a key role.
Fact: 83% of attackers display warning behaviors before acting (Secret Service, 2021). - Plan — Prepare for the Worst: Security measures, audits, and training create layers of defense that save lives.
Example: In 2021, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe narrowly avoided assassination due to proactive planning and rapid response.
Fact: Threats at high-profile events increase by 32%, but layered security prevents breaches (Interpol, 2020). - Respond — Fast and Decisive: Hesitation costs lives. Rapid, precise action is essential in moments of crisis.
Example: In 2015, trained security stopped a shooter at a Silicon Valley event within seconds, preventing casualties. - Use Technology — Amplify Skill: AI and analytics detect patterns that human observation may miss, such as unusual purchases or activity.
Example: Predictive tools flagged a credible threat at a corporate event, allowing security to intervene early.
Fact: AI-assisted systems improve threat detection accuracy by 46% compared to manual methods (MIT Technology Review, 2023). - Learn — Always Improve: Post-incident reviews strengthen future readiness by revealing gaps and refining strategies.
Example: After the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, improved building codes and detection systems helped prevent similar attacks.
Fact: Regular reviews boost organizational readiness by 38% (DHS Report, 2022).
Addressing violence in all its forms
Violence stems from individual grievances, mental health crises, and systemic failures. Mismanaged layoffs, untreated despair, and unresolved anger often precede workplace tragedies. These aren’t just human failures; they are failures of systems to anticipate and address underlying causes.
Whether through acts of aggression or neglect, the result is the same: lives lost and families devastated. The ripple effects weaken the trust and safety we all rely on.
A unified call to action
This is not about politics. It’s about protecting life. Early intervention, systemic strategies, and a focus on prevention can save lives. Investments in technology, mental health support, and proactive training are not luxuries; they are necessities.
Brian Thompson’s death is a reminder of what’s at stake. Violence, whether sudden or systemic, reflects a failure to value life. Each tragedy compels us to ask: How do we do better? How do we prevent the next loss?
The path forward is clear: assess risks, act early, prepare for the worst and always strive to improve. When we act with empathy, clarity and purpose, we honor those we’ve lost and protect those who remain.
Every life matters. Let’s make that our foundation for action.
Massoud Amin is the chief technology officer at Renewable Energy Partners and the chairman and president of Energy Policy & Security Associates. He is also a professor emeritus and the former director and Honeywell H.W. Sweatt Chair of technological leadership at the University of Minnesota.