Comedian Sam Taunton left other hosts on The Project speechless after making a joke about the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was gunned down in the heart of New York.
The panel were discussing the bizarre details of the December 4 murder case, after U.S. police located the unknown gunman’s backpack in Central Park and discovered a wad of Monopoly money inside.
'Well let's hope there's not a "get out of jail free" card in that backpack, 'cause he might go free,' Taunton joked.
The remark prompted awkward silence followed by scattered laughter in the audience.
His co-hosts remained stony-faced as Hamish Macdonald inhaled sharply.
'That's nice,' Steve Price eventually responded.
'Thanks, Pricey,' Taunton replied, before Sarah Harris looked to change the subject.
'Thanks for bringing it home for us Sammy,' she said diplomatically, as she quickly wrapped up the segment.
Hosts on The Project were left shocked by a quip made by comedian Sam Taunton about Brian Thompson's killer
Sam Taunton said he hoped the suspected killer didn't have a 'get out of jail free' card following the discovery of Monopoly money in the gunman's backpack
The hosts had earlier voiced their distain toward the public reaction to the brazen shooting outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan.
A post on UnitedHealthcare's Facebook page following Mr Thompson's death had garnered thousands of 'laughing' reactions, which Harris described as 'a touch ghoulish'.
'Can it get any more bizarre than this?' Price commented.
'People talking about how good-looking the killer is. I suppose it goes back to the fact in the U.S. that it's hard to get medical insurance.'
Price's disapproval of the widespread public support for the gunman contrasted with Taunton making light of the killing highlights the stark generational divide that has emerged in response to the NYC shooting.
Generally, young people support the assassin and believe Mr Thompson deserved to die. By contrast, older people believe the gunman's actions were inexcusable.
Police found a backpack in Central Park containing a wad of Monopoly money some believe the killer intended to litter over Mr Thompson's body.
Bullet casings inscribed with the words 'deny', 'defend' and 'depose' were also left behind, perhaps linked to common healthcare practices.
Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare was shot dead in New York on December 4
Many have theorised the suspect harboured deep-rooted animosity towards UnitedHealthcare and the American health insurance industry.
One expert even suggested the killing wasn't about 'taking a life' but that it 'was about sending a message – a deeply twisted, deeply calculated one'.
Police believe the suspect had spent about 10 days in New York in a hostel while he planned the attack.
CCTV footage nearby to the scene appeared to capture the gunman making off toward Central Park after the shooting.
The Mayor of New York City earlier vowed to find the assailant.
'Let him continue to believe he can hide behind a mask,' Mr Adams said. 'We're going to reveal who he is, and we're going to bring him to justice.'
In breaking news on Tuesday morning (AEDT), American authorities announced they had arrested 'anti-capitalist' Ivy League graduate Luigi Mangione in Pennsylvania on firearms charges. He has not been charged with Mr Thompson's murder.
The killer remains at large as US authorities ramp up the manhunt to track him down
Thousands declared they were happy the chief executive had been killed and mocked the US' widely-criticised private healthcare system.
Democrat congressman Dean Phillips condemned the online remarks.
'Seems like leftists opposed to killing terrorists in the Middle East support killing CEOs in Midtown Manhattan,' he said.
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