The New York Police Department is working to track down a Citi Bike used by the killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was fatally shot outside a Manhattan hotel on Wednesday morning. According to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenney, the shooter rode the bike to Central Park after the incident, leaving behind a digital trail that investigators hope to exploit.

Lyft, the owner of the Citi Bike bikeshare service, has stated its readiness to assist law enforcement in the investigation. "We're ready to assist law enforcement," said Lyft spokesperson Eric Smith in an email to The Verge. However, as of the time of the company's response, investigators had not yet made contact.

The police are still trying to determine how the killer obtained the Citi Bike, with Kenney saying that they are "still working that through." The department is gathering video footage from numerous sources, but so far, there is no video or witness confirmation on how the bike was obtained.

Kenney described the shooting as a targeted attack, with the killer seemingly singling out Thompson. The motive behind the attack remains unknown, although Thompson's wife, Paulette, reported that her husband had received threats. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of high-profile executives, particularly in light of UnitedHealthcare's recent struggles with a massive ransomware attack earlier this year.

The ransomware attack, which leaked information on over 100 million people and disrupted healthcare services for weeks, had been resolved with a $22 million payment to the attackers. It is unclear whether the shooting is related to the cyberattack, but the NYPD is exploring all possible angles.

Police officials were spotted asking for video footage of a Citi Bike kiosk on Madison Avenue and 82nd Street in Manhattan on Wednesday afternoon, according to The New York Times. The NYPD has shared images of the shooter, including one of them on the bike, and is urging anyone with information about the individual's identity or location to contact them at 1-800-577-TIPS.

The investigation is ongoing, with the NYPD working to piece together the events surrounding the shooting. As the search for the killer continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of cybersecurity and the need for vigilance in protecting high-profile targets.

The incident also raises questions about the role of technology companies in assisting law enforcement investigations. Lyft's willingness to cooperate with the NYPD is a positive step, but it remains to be seen how effective their assistance will be in tracking down the killer.

As the investigation unfolds, it is likely that more details will emerge about the shooter's identity and motives. For now, the NYPD is urging anyone with information to come forward, and the tech industry is watching closely to see how this incident will impact the relationship between law enforcement and technology companies.