Luigi Mangione, the individual alleged to have murdered the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, has been charged with murder as a form of terrorism in New York, according to a statement from prosecutors on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old Mangione is currently being held without bail in Pennsylvania after being arrested at a McDonald’s on December 9. His capture followed an extensive manhunt triggered by the ambush of Brian Thompson in midtown Manhattan on December 4.
In court last week, as Mangione faced charges related to gun possession and forgery, he exhibited erratic behavior, struggling with deputies and expressing outrage at what he called an “insult to the intelligence of the American people.” Although his attorney had previously stated plans to contest extradition to New York, prosecutors revealed indications that Mangione might forgo his right to an extradition hearing, which would accelerate his transfer to New York.
Mangione’s attorney in New York, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, chose not to comment on the ongoing case. The incident has captured significant public attention, sparking widespread criticism and hostility toward U.S. health insurance companies while leaving corporate leaders on edge regarding their safety.
The indictment revealed on Tuesday by Manhattan prosecutors adds further charges to Mangione’s case, bringing the total to 11 counts, including second-degree murder classified as a terrorist act. During a press briefing, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg characterized the act as a “frightening, well-planned, targeted murder,” explaining, “At its core, this was a killing designed to instill terror.”
In light of the assassination, law enforcement officials in New York and beyond reported an uptick in threats targeting corporate figures. Disturbingly, “Wanted” posters featuring images of various executives have emerged, with Thompson’s photo crossed out.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch commented on the gravity of the situation, stating, “We do not condone the actions of murderers, nor do we glorify the act of violence against any individual. Rationalizing such behavior is abhorrent, reckless, and contradicts our core values of justice.”
During the investigation for Mangione’s whereabouts, police reached out to his mother in San Francisco after receiving a tip from local authorities that a surveillance image of the shooter coincidentally matched a missing persons report filed by his family in November. While she didn’t confirm the identity of the individual in the image, she remarked that such actions could be characteristic of him.
Authorities have reported that Mangione was found in possession of a firearm similar to the one used in Thompson’s murder, along with a fake ID that had been used to register at a New York hostel. Additionally, he had a passport and other counterfeit identities. A document discovered in his possession expressed disdain for what he referred to as “parasitic” health insurance companies, signifying his frustrations with corporate greed.
The weapon in question, described as a 3D-printed ghost gun, was linked to shell casings recovered at the scene, with two of those casings stamped with the words “DENY” and “DEPOSE,” while a bullet carried the inscription “DELAY.” These terms resonate with rhetoric often associated with insurance companies’ tactics to evade claims.
Police also confirmed that Mangione’s fingerprints matched those on a water bottle and a protein bar wrapper found near the crime scene.
Information about Mangione reveals that he hails from an influential family in Maryland. He graduated as valedictorian from a prestigious prep school in Baltimore and went on to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science from the University of Pennsylvania, completing his studies in 2020.
From January to June 2022, he resided at a co-living facility in Honolulu, where it was reported that he had long endured severe back pain from childhood, which impacted many facets of his existence. Police have suggested that an incident requiring an emergency room visit on July 4, 2023, could have influenced his motive.
Mangione actively shared his experiences regarding spinal surgery on social media, encouraging those with similar ailments to advocate for themselves. He frequently posted advice on platforms like Reddit, urging individuals facing back issues to seek multiple opinions and succinctly communicate the effects of their suffering on their lives.
“We exist in a capitalist society,” Mangione wrote. “Through my experience, I have observed that phrases frequently resonate more with the medical industry than merely describing suffering or its impact on quality of life.” Interestingly, he had never been a client of UnitedHealthcare and had distanced himself from family and close acquaintances in recent months.
