The suspect accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has been formally charged with murder as an act of terrorism, prosecutors announced as they work to extradite him to New York from a Pennsylvania jail.
Luigi Mangione, already facing murder charges for the December 4 killing, now faces the added terrorism classification. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized the calculated nature of the crime, stating, “This was a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was meant to cause shock, attention, and intimidation.” Bragg underscored the significant threat the act posed to locals, tourists, commuters, and business professionals in midtown Manhattan, where Thompson was fatally shot while on his way to a hotel hosting a UnitedHealthcare investor conference.
Mangione’s attorney in New York, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, declined to comment on the case.
Thompson’s murder has sparked public outcry against U.S. health insurance companies, with widespread online discussions about denials of coverage, disputes between patients and insurers, and crippling medical bills. This backlash has extended to corporate executives in the healthcare sector, as “wanted” posters featuring other healthcare leaders have appeared throughout New York. Authorities have responded with warnings of a heightened security threat following the incident.
Under New York law, enacted post-9/11, crimes can be designated as acts of terrorism if they aim to intimidate civilians, coerce government policy, or influence governmental conduct. This statute has previously been applied, such as in a 2002 case involving a gang-related shooting that resulted in a child’s death.
Mangione, 26, was apprehended after being recognized at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Authorities found him with the firearm used in the murder, multiple fake IDs, and a passport. He also faces gun and forgery charges in Pennsylvania, where he remains in custody without bail. Mangione’s attorney in Pennsylvania has questioned the validity of the evidence supporting the forgery and gun charges. Mangione has indicated plans to fight extradition to New York.
Prosecutors believe Mangione’s motivations stem from anger toward the U.S. healthcare system. A law enforcement bulletin revealed that Mangione was carrying a handwritten letter at the time of his arrest, denouncing health insurance companies as “parasitic” and accusing them of fueling corporate greed. Investigators have also referenced Mangione’s social media posts, where he discussed undergoing spinal surgery that relieved his chronic pain. He urged others to advocate for their medical needs, criticizing dismissive responses from healthcare providers.
Despite his critiques of the healthcare industry, reports indicate Mangione was not a client of UnitedHealthcare. In the months leading up to the killing, he had become estranged from family and friends, prompting his family to file a missing persons report in November.
Brian Thompson, 50, had been with UnitedHealth Group for two decades, rising to CEO of its insurance division in 2021. A married father of two teenagers, Thompson grew up on a farm in Iowa and had a background in accounting.
Mangione’s extradition hearings in Pennsylvania are ongoing, while New York prosecutors continue to build their case against him.
