“Wanted” Posters Emerge as NYPD Warns of Threats to Executives
The NYPD has issued a bulletin warning of increased threats to healthcare executives following the recent assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.This comes as “Wanted” posters featuring corporate executives have appeared across Manhattan, and online platforms are rife with threats and celebrations of Thompson’s death.
The bulletin highlights a concerning trend: the growing veneration of the suspect, Luigi Mangione, as a “martyr” by extremist groups. This raises fears of copycat attacks inspired by Mangione’s actions.
The NYPD is increasing security measures for executives and is actively investigating the origin and distribution of the “Wanted” posters.
With Mangione’s action having the “capability to inspire a variety of extremists and grievance-driven malicious actors to violence,” the NYPD encouraged companies to increase precautions and security for executives.
Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania Monday and faces charges in New York including second-degree murder.
“Both prior to and after the suspected perpetrator’s identification and arrest, some online users across social media platforms reacted positively to the killing, encouraged future targeting of similar executives, and shared conspiracy theories regarding the shooting,” the bulletin said.
The bulletin highlighted a viral social media post featuring the names and salaries of eight health insurance CEOs, which some online users shared “emphasizing that it is a hitlist and that CEOs should be afraid,” according to the bulletin.
