Luigi Mangione charged with murder of healthcare CEO in New York
A 26-year-old man has been charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was fatally shot in Midtown Manhattan last week. Luigi Mangione was apprehended on Monday at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, approximately 280 miles west of New York City, following a tip from a customer who recognized him from media reports.
Luigi Mangione was arrested with a 3D-printed gun, silencer, a loaded magazine, and a handwritten document authorities say revealed his “motivation and mindset.” He also carried $10,000 in cash, including $2,000 in foreign currency, and a U.S. passport. Following his apprehension, Mangione was arraigned in a Pennsylvania court on charges of possessing an unlicensed firearm, forgery, and providing false identification to police. Bail was denied due to the severity of the charges and the circumstances of his arrest. Authorities continue to investigate the evidence, which they believe points to a planned and deliberate attack.
New York investigators have formally charged Luigi Mangione with murder and firearms-related offenses in the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Thompson, 50, was fatally shot in the back last Wednesday outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan, where the company was holding an investors’ meeting. Authorities described the attack as targeted and premeditated.
The incident sparked a massive manhunt in New York City, with law enforcement utilizing digital surveillance systems, drones, police dogs, and divers to search for clues, including in a Central Park lake. Mangione’s capture in Pennsylvania came as a surprise, as he was not initially on the investigators’ list of suspects.
Court documents indicate that when officers approached Mangione at the McDonald’s, he presented a fake New Jersey driver’s license under the name Mark Rosario. Upon being questioned about his recent activities, Mangione appeared visibly nervous and began shaking. After officers warned him of additional charges for providing false information, he admitted his true identity. When asked why he had lied about his name, he acknowledged that it was a mistake and expressed regret for his actions.
During his appearance in a Pennsylvania court on Monday, Mangione was handcuffed and wore jeans and a dark blue jersey. Witnesses described him as calm, occasionally glancing at the gathered media. The criminal complaint noted the discovery of a 3D-printed pistol and silencer in his backpack, along with six rounds of 9mm ammunition. Prosecutors said he also carried a handwritten document related to his intentions, though further details have not been disclosed.
Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack, with New York authorities focusing on the alleged premeditation of the crime. Mangione is currently being held in Pennsylvania while arrangements are made for his extradition to New York.
The murder of Brian Thompson has sent shockwaves through both the business and broader communities. Thompson, who led UnitedHealthcare, a major medical insurance firm, was remembered as a key figure in the industry. His death has prompted discussions about security at high-profile corporate events and raised questions about the motivations behind the targeted attack. Authorities have yet to reveal a clear motive as the investigation unfolds.