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Suspect in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO is arraigned in Pennsylvania on fraud and weapon charges
By
Giulia Heyward
,
Louis C. Hochman
and
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Dec 9, 2024
Modified Dec 10, 2024
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Jeff Swensen/Getty Images
By
Giulia Heyward
,
Louis C. Hochman
and
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Dec 9, 2024
Modified Dec 10, 2024
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The suspect in the Midtown Manhattan shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has been arraigned in Pennsylvania, officials said Monday.
Luigi Nicholas Mangione, 26, faces charges in Altoona of forgery, instrument to a crime and carrying a firearm without a license, according to court documents obtained by Gothamist. He was ordered held without bail, authorities said. Attorney information for Mangione was not immediately available.
The NYPD said it also plans to charge Mangione in what Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described as a “brazen, targeted murder” that occurred on Wednesday outside the New York Hilton Midtown, where Thompson was set to attend an investor conference. Tisch said Mangione was apprehended in Altoona, a community about 230 miles west of Manhattan, after being identified by an employee at a local McDonald’s who recognized him from NYPD-released surveillance images.
When approached, Mangione was reportedly carrying fraudulent IDs and a firearm with a suppressor consistent with evidence from the crime scene, authorities said. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny described the weapon as a ghost gun, possibly 3D-printed, with no serial number and a suppressor. Authorities also said they recovered a face mask resembling one seen in surveillance footage.
Mangione’s alleged motive appears linked to grievances against corporate America, detailed in writings police found in his possession, authorities said. Kenny said the documents reflected “ill will toward corporate America” but did not provide further specifics.
Details of the investigation
The fatal shooting triggered a citywide and interstate manhunt. Police confirmed reports that bullet casings found at the scene reportedly had words inscribed similar to the title of the 2010 book “Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It” by Jay M. Feinman.
The suspect fled the scene on an electric bicycle and was later seen taking a taxi to the George Washington Bridge bus terminal, police said. The NYPD released surveillance images showing him in a face mask and black hood shortly after the incident. Additional evidence, including a backpack believed to be Mangione’s containing a jacket and Monopoly money, was discovered in Central Park, officials said.
Hundreds of tips were submitted to the NYPD, with a $10,000 reward offered for information leading to an arrest. The FBI had offered an additional $50,000 reward.
Capture and arraignment
Mangione was arrested after Altoona police responded to the tip from the McDonald’s employee. According to court documents, he was seen wearing a blue medical mask and using a silver laptop when officers approached. Police noted that Mangione became visibly shaken when asked about recent travels to New York, according to records.
Authorities alleged that Mangione used a fake New Jersey ID to check into a New York City hostel. His background includes ties to Maryland, San Francisco and a last known address in Honolulu, Hawaii, according to the NYPD.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro condemned online reactions celebrating the killing during a press conference on Monday night.
“Some attention in this case — especially online — has been deeply disturbing as some have decided to celebrate, instead of condemn, this killing,” Shapiro said.
He continued, “The killer is not a hero. He should not be hailed as one."
This story has been updated with additional information.
Correction: The headline for this story has been updated to reflect that the suspect was charged with alleged crimes in Pennsylvania.
Tagged
manhattan
public safety
midtown
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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Louis C. Hochman
After about two decades in (mostly) New Jersey-focused commercial print, digital and digital-but-radio-adjacent news, Lou stumbled into member-supported news in early 2021, as the editor and CEO of Montclair Local. There, he (hopes he) expanded enterprise, brought more sophistication to digital storytelling and moved the nonprofit newsroom closer to long-term financial sustainability. He helped lead the Local to its fourth consecutive General Excellence award from the New Jersey Press Association — the NJPA's highest honor with judges noting the paper's work to strip away layers of government opacity, to hold power to account, to make news accessible for more members of the community, to share the stories and concerns of more facets of the community and to tell compelling stories across multiple media. He's excited to continue the same ethic — news as a public service — at NYPR as the New Jersey and suburbs editor, drawing on the extraordinary talents of reporters including Karen Yi and Nancy Solomon. Lou lives in Philly (that commute!) with his partner and their two cats, about whom and about which he speaks incessantly.
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Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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