Authorities have apprehended the individual suspected of shooting Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, on a New York street.
Luigi Nicholas Mangione, 26, is facing charges for the murder of the father of two. He was captured by law enforcement officers in Altoona, Pennsylvania at a McDonald’s, thanks to a tip from an employee of the restaurant.
An official document online reveals Mangione, previously residing in Honolulu, Hawaii, faces charges not only for murder but also for possessing an unlicensed firearm, forgery, and providing false identification to the authorities.
The University of Pennsylvania alumnus, who completed his studies in computer science in 2020, was found with incriminating items such as a firearm, a mask, and writings linking him to the crime.
Mangione is currently detained in a Pennsylvania facility, awaiting extradition to New York where he will face charges related to Thompson’s death.
During a short court session, Mangione was denied bail.
The fatal incident involving the UnitedHealthcare CEO occurred outside the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan, New York City at 6:46 am on December 4. Thompson was shot three times from behind.
Thompson was en route to an insurance conference organized by his company when he was ambushed by Mangione, who had been waiting for approximately five minutes, as per the New York Police Department.
During his escape, Mangione left a trail that included discarding a bag in Central Park containing Monopoly money and a jacket, providing clues to his movements before and after the attack.
When asked if he required a public defender, he deferred the decision, saying he would “answer that at a future date”.
The unexpected sighting at the McDonald’s marked a significant breakthrough in the investigation that has intrigued the public since the high-profile shooting.
Police discovered a firearm thought to have been used in the attack on Brian Thompson, along with writings indicating discontent with corporate America.
Mangione was discovered in the McDonald’s, wearing a blue medical mask and using a laptop, according to the documents.
Upon questioning by an officer about recent travel to New York, Mangione reportedly became silent and started trembling.
In his possession, police found a black 3D-printed gun and silencer, which documents described as having metal and plastic components. Mangione was arrested at approximately 9:15 am, according to Pennsylvania police.
“He is believed to be our person of interest in the brazen, targeted murder of Brian Thompson,” stated New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Mangione’s attire and mask bore similarity to those of the gunman. Additionally, he carried a fake New Jersey ID used previously to book into a New York City hostel before the crime, as per Ms. Tisch.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny mentioned Mangione was originally from Maryland but also had connections to San Francisco.
Police uncovered a three-page document revealing Mangione’s negative sentiments towards corporate America, explained Mr. Kenny.
The document, handwritten, provides insight into both Mangione’s motivation and mental state, according to Ms. Tisch.
Investigators identified the gun as a ghost gun, which can be self-assembled without a serial number, complicating tracing efforts.
“Currently, information from Altoona suggests the gun seems to be a ghost gun, potentially made using a 3D printer, capable of firing a 9mm round,” Mr. Kenny noted.
NYPD detectives, alongside Manhattan district attorney office staff, traveled to Altoona to conduct an interview with Mangione.
Brian Thompson, aged 50, was killed while walking to a hotel hosting UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor conference, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare.