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.
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