The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week in New York City has taken a shocking turn, with the arrest of 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, an Ivy League graduate from Maryland.
Mangione was apprehended at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday after a customer recognised him from media reports.
His arrest followed an intensive manhunt involving advanced surveillance systems, drones, and police dogs in New York City.
Upon his arrest, Mangione was found with a 3D-printed gun, a silencer, ammunition, and a handwritten document reportedly outlining his motives.
He also had a fake New Jersey ID, a US passport, and $10,000 in cash, part of which was in foreign currency.
Appearing in a Pennsylvania court on Monday, Mangione faced charges including possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery, and providing false identification.
He was denied bail. Hours later, he was charged with murder and firearms offenses in New York.
According to officials, Mangione appeared calm during his court hearing, though he became visibly nervous when questioned about recent trips to New York.
Thompson was fatally shot last Wednesday morning outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan, where UnitedHealthcare was holding an investors’ meeting.
Investigators believe the shooting was a pre-planned attack, with shell casings at the scene bearing inscriptions that may reference insurance industry practices.
The handwritten document found on Mangione reportedly expressed hostility toward corporate America, leading investigators to believe the murder may have been ideologically motivated.
Police revealed that Mangione was not initially on their list of suspects. His capture came after a McDonald’s customer in Altoona identified him and alerted authorities.
When confronted by police, Mangione initially provided a fake name but later admitted his identity, reportedly saying, “I clearly shouldn’t have lied.”
Mangione, who attended a prestigious Maryland private school as class valedictorian, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and worked as a data engineer in California. His last known address was in Honolulu, Hawaii.
His family expressed shock at his arrest, releasing a statement through Maryland state legislator Nino Mangione.
“We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and ask people to pray for all involved,” the statement read.
Mangione now faces extradition to New York. If he waives extradition, he will be transferred immediately; if contested, the process could take up to 45 days.
