Bullets

The words emblazoned on the ammunition used in the shooting – “deny,” “defend” [sic] and “depose” – were written in permanent marker, according to a law enforcement official.

News Source:
https://www.news10.com/news/ap-the-latest-police-search-for-man-who-killed-unitedhealthcare-ceo-new-photos-of-suspect-released/

Each word was meticulously written, not etched, onto the casings in Sharpie.

News Source:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/united-healthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-shooting-bullets-words-written-on-them/

It later turned out the three words may have actually been DENY, DELAY, and DEPOSE. Yet another mistake in the info leaked by NYPD sources to the media.

DENY, DELAY, DEFEND

Echoes a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims.

Some attorneys use the phrase to describe how insurers deny services and payment. It’s in fact the title of a book that was highly critical of the health insurance industry.

Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It is a 2010 book by Rutgers Law professor Jay M. Feinman.

20/20

“The shell casings had messages on them, words that were written on each one — delay, deny, depose — handwritten with a permanent marker.”