Former classmates of Luigi Mangione, a student at an Ivy League school, have shared insights into his personality during their school years.
The 26-year-old Mangione was apprehended on December 9 in connection with the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Thompson was shot outside the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan five days prior to Mangione’s arrest.
The father of two was transported in critical condition to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Authorities, after an extensive search, were tipped off by a McDonald’s employee in Pennsylvania, leading to Mangione’s arrest.
Upon arrest, Mangione was reportedly found with a handwritten note criticizing insurance companies for prioritizing profit over American customers’ welfare.
The note, described as a ‘manifesto’, was allegedly addressed to ‘the Feds’ and stated: “The reality is, these [companies] have gotten too powerful, and they continue to abuse our country for immense profit.”
The suspect claimed he acted alone and expressed regret for any ‘trauma’ caused, though he insisted it was necessary in his note.
“Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming,” the note added, as per the sources.
The contents of Mangione’s backpack included a 3D-printed pistol and silencer, a loaded Glock magazine, and several fake IDs.
Following the arrest, Mangione’s former classmates expressed their disbelief.
Freddie Leatherbury, who studied with him at the Gilman School in Baltimore, told The Baltimore Sun, “He would be the last one I would think would do something like this.”
“He was a nice kid,” Leatherbury added.
Another student, who wished to remain anonymous, shared with the US Sun: “We went to the same school but didn’t really have the same friends. I’m really shocked by this whole thing.”
“I think he played soccer, it was an all-boys school, so being a good athlete got you social currency for sure,” the student remarked.
“It’s not uncommon that people have their gripes with CEOs, especially with CEOs of healthcare in this country, but to assassinate someone?”
“That sounds very, very insane to me. The world is a crazy a** place.”
The Gilman School commented on the arrest: “This is deeply distressing news on top of an already awful situation. Our hearts go out to everyone affected.”
In response to the situation, Mangione’s family released a statement.
“Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” said Nino Mangione, Luigi’s cousin and a Republican Baltimore County Delegate.
“We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved. We are devastated by this news.”
The family mentioned that they couldn’t ‘comment on news reports’ regarding Luigi Mangione and that their information comes solely from media reports.