Backpack CEO Attacked as ‘Snitch’ After Police Tip on Healthcare Boss Shooter

The CEO of the company whose backpack was spotted on the suspect in the UnitedHealthcare boss shooting has said he and his employees have been targeted with vile abuse since he tipped police off.

Peter Dering, the founder and CEO of Peak Design, was quoted in a Dec. 5 New York Times article, saying that he contacted police immediately after he saw his product in CCTV images of the alleged shooter’s movements around New York City in the wake of the public slaying of Brian Thompson. The high-end bag was later found in Central Park stuffed with Monopoly money.

After Dering told The Times he contacted a police tip off line about his concerns, he and his employees were targeted by supporters of the alleged gunman, Luigi Mangione. “Peter Dering a Snitch,” one X user said, while another appeared to call for his death.

“Peter Dering, CEO of Peak Design and the person who really called in the tip to arrest Luigi.

“All CEOs are the same and deserve the same fate as Brian Thompson,” they said.

Another macabre joke said of his company: “Closing sale event coming soon.” The company’s Instagram page was also flooded with disparaging comments.

“Y’all effed with the wrong people. Enjoy what is left of your company,” one said.

Dering told the Times that if police were to ask for help he would “check with his general counsel about what information he could release without violating the company’s privacy guidelines.”

But he and his colleagues reportedly suffered a blowback online anyway, prompting him to release an updated statement Friday. “We take our customer privacy seriously. There is misinformation being shared on social media that has triggered many serious threats for the safety of not only me, but our employees as well,” Dering said.

“I ask that you please consider the facts we are providing here and continue to instil trust in the Peak.”

Following up on Instagram, Dering added that customer information would only be provided under subpoena.

One TikTok user suggested Peak Design bag owners remove the serial tags on their bags. Police sometimes track serial numbers of items to lead them to the person who purchased it.

But concerns were raised over this method, leading to further ire being directed towards Dering. “What if somebody gave this to me as a gift and now I’m going to jail because they committed a crime, because you wanted to tell somebody that was my backpack? That is very scary,” one TikTok user posted.

Greg Ewing, a data privacy attorney in Washington, DC., told CNN this is actually possible and is quite similar to the way law enforcement trace vehicles.

“It’s a similar idea,” Ewing said. “In our economy, our world, certain things are required to be registered. There are certain things that are optionally registered—consumer products, like this, are one of those.”

Dering said in his Instagram post on the company page that a serial number can’t be linked to a customer unless “that customer has voluntarily registered the product on our site.”

Peak Design has been contacted for comment.