Luigi Nicholas Mangione, a 26-year-old from Towson, Maryland, has been charged in connection with the murder of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson. The incident occurred on December 4 in Midtown Manhattan. Mangione was taken into federal custody and is set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker in Manhattan federal court.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated, "Today, the Justice Department has brought federal murder charges against Luigi Mangione." He added that Mangione allegedly planned his attack meticulously over several months and expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their efforts in apprehending the suspect.
Acting U.S. Attorney Edward Y. Kim commented on the case: "Brian Thompson was gunned down in cold blood as he walked down a street in midtown Manhattan." Kim emphasized that Thompson's alleged killing was due to his position as CEO of a health insurance company and described the act as an attempt by Mangione to broadcast his views nationwide.
Assistant Director James E. Dennehy of the FBI New York Field Office remarked, "Luigi Mangione allegedly conducted the carefully premeditated and targeted execution of Brian Thompson to incite national debates." He highlighted the FBI's commitment to pursuing individuals who use violence for personal agendas.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch praised her detectives' efforts: "NYPD detectives worked relentlessly to identify and widely distribute images of the suspect who allegedly carried out this premeditated, preplanned, targeted murder."
According to the complaint, Mangione spent months planning Thompson's murder as part of an effort to spark public debate about the healthcare industry. After arriving in New York City on November 24, he conducted reconnaissance around Thompson's hotel and conference venue using false identification.
On December 4, Mangione allegedly shot Thompson with a 9mm pistol equipped with a silencer on West 54th Street before fleeing on a bicycle through Central Park. He was arrested five days later in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Mangione faces multiple charges including using a firearm to commit murder and interstate stalking resulting in death, each carrying severe penalties up to life imprisonment or death.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force and NYPD with assistance from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office which has initiated separate proceedings against Mangione.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dominic A. Gentile, Jun Xiang, and Alexandra Messiter are prosecuting the case.
It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.