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Luigi Mangione, a UPenn graduate, faces murder charges for the targeted shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan. Investigators uncover a ghost gun, forged IDs, and evidence pointing to motive.
A University of Pennsylvania graduate has been charged with murder following the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The targeted attack occurred outside a Midtown Manhattan Hilton hotel last week, according to the NYPD.
Suspect Arrested in Pennsylvania
The suspect, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, was apprehended at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a tip from a customer who recognized him from widely circulated photos. Authorities recovered a firearm and suppressor consistent with the weapon used in the murder. The gun, believed to be a 3D-printed ghost gun, along with multiple forged IDs, including a fake New Jersey driver’s license, was found in his possession.
Details of the Crime
Thompson, 50, was fatally shot in the chest around 6:40 a.m. on Wednesday outside the Hilton Midtown, just before an investor conference. Police say Mangione appeared to be lying in wait for Thompson, with knowledge of his schedule. Investigators suspect the attack was premeditated.
Evidence and Motive
Authorities uncovered clothing and a handwritten three-page document outlining Mangione’s motivations. The document, coupled with his Goodreads activity, revealed interest in extremist ideologies, including a review of the "Unabomber Manifesto." Investigators are examining Mangione’s online activity and recovered DNA evidence from items left at the crime scene, including a cellphone, water bottle, and candy wrapper.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny stated that Mangione harbored "ill will toward corporate America."
Charges in Multiple States
Mangione faces several charges in New York, including second-degree murder, possession of a loaded firearm, and criminal possession of a weapon. In Pennsylvania, he faces charges for carrying an unlicensed weapon, forgery, and providing false identification.
Background of the Suspect
Mangione, a Maryland native and valedictorian of Baltimore’s prestigious Gilman School, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020 with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering. He previously worked as a data engineer but had no known arrest history in New York.
Statement from the Family
The Mangione family expressed shock and devastation over Luigi’s arrest, offering prayers to Brian Thompson’s family.
UnitedHealthcare StatementUnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, called Thompson’s death a tragic loss, describing him as a respected colleague and friend.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities are delving into Mangione’s timeline, including his travel to New York on a Greyhound bus and his stay at an Upper West Side hostel under a false identity. Surveillance footage shows him making calculated moves across the city, paying only in cash and frequently masked.
While investigators consider Mangione’s actions amateurish for a professional killer, they continue to probe his motives and connections.
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