New York prosecutors have charged 26-year-old Luigi Mangione with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, according to court records released Monday. The charges were filed shortly after Luigi Mangione was arraigned in Pennsylvania on multiple charges, including gun possession, following his arrest earlier that day in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Luigi Mangione faces second-degree murder, criminal possession of a loaded firearm, possession of a silencer, and possession of a forged instrument in connection with Brian Thompson’s death. Brian Thompson, 50, was shot and killed early Wednesday morning outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan. He was on his way to an investor meeting when he was ambushed by a masked gunman, who shot him with a pistol equipped with a silencer.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that the shooting appeared to be a premeditated and targeted attack, as the gunman waited several minutes before executing the murder. Investigators found shell casings at the scene, with the words “delay,” “deny,” and “depose” inscribed on them. These terms are often associated with the tactics used by health insurers to limit benefits to customers, which is notable given Brian Thompson’s position as the head of UnitedHealthcare, the largest private health insurer in the U.S.
Luigi Mangione, a former University of Pennsylvania graduate, is believed to have had personal grievances related to the healthcare industry. He has reportedly suffered from chronic back pain and his social media profile features an image of a back with screws, possibly referencing his own medical issues. A handwritten manifesto found in his possession after his arrest mentioned the healthcare industry, suggesting a possible motive tied to his personal struggles with the system.
Mangione was arrested at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a worker there alerted authorities about his suspicious behavior. A search of his backpack revealed a gun, a silencer, and 9mm ammunition. Police also found a fake New Jersey ID that Mangione allegedly used to check into a Manhattan hostel in late November. Surveillance images from the hostel helped identify Mangione as the suspect, leading to his capture.
Brian Thompson’s family held a private funeral in Minnesota earlier on Monday, while Mangione remained in Pennsylvania custody. His family expressed shock and devastation over his arrest, offering condolences to Brian Thompson’s family. Authorities are continuing their investigation, and Mangione is being held without bond as he faces charges in both Pennsylvania and New York.
