San Francisco police identified Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, days before his high-profile arrest, according to a new report. Surveillance images released by the NYPD after Thompson’s fatal shooting led a San Francisco officer to recognize Mangione’s face, sources told the San Francisco Chronicle. The officer alerted the FBI four days before Mangione was apprehended in Pennsylvania.
Timeline of Events
- November 18: Mangione had been reported missing by his family in San Francisco, leading to his face being known to California authorities.
- December 4: Thompson was shot in Manhattan while walking to an investor conference. Surveillance footage of the alleged shooter was released shortly after.
- December 11: After a five-day manhunt, Mangione was arrested at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania.
Potential Motive
Investigators are examining Mangione’s possible animosity toward the healthcare industry.
- Social Media Clues: Mangione’s posts included X-rays showing screws inserted into a spine, believed to relate to a back injury he suffered in July 2023.
- Written Manifesto: A three-page document found in Mangione’s possession reportedly contained vitriol against health insurance companies, describing them as “parasitic.”
- NYPD Statement: An official noted, “He was discussing the difficulty of sustaining that injury… as far as motive, it looks like he had animus toward the healthcare industry.”
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are continuing to piece together Mangione’s movements and mindset leading up to the shooting. While he wasn’t initially flagged as a suspect, the quick action of San Francisco police and subsequent coordination with federal authorities helped secure his arrest.
