Accused killer Luigi Mangione may be extradited to New York City as early as Tuesday to face murder charges for the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced on Friday. Mangione, who initially opposed extradition from Pennsylvania, is reportedly considering waiving his challenge during a court hearing scheduled for Tuesday.
“The defendant may waive extradition, but it won’t be official until the court proceeding,” Bragg stated during a public safety press conference in Times Square. “We are preparing for both outcomes, whether he contests or consents to extradition.”
Mangione, a 26-year-old University of Pennsylvania graduate, is accused of shooting Thompson, 50, as the CEO walked to the Hilton hotel on Sixth Avenue on December 4, where UnitedHealthcare’s parent company was holding its annual investor conference. The killing prompted a five-day manhunt that ended when Mangione was apprehended at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania after an employee recognized him and alerted authorities.
Upon his arrest, police discovered a manifesto-style document in Mangione’s possession that criticized health insurance companies, including UnitedHealthcare, for alleged corporate greed. He is currently detained without bail at the State Correctional Institution in Huntington, Pennsylvania, on gun and forgery charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated Thursday that Mangione’s indictment for the killing is imminent, and an extradition warrant will be issued as soon as charges are formally filed.
