New York City, New York – Pennsylvania police have identified a man of interest in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as Luigi Mangione, 26. Mangione was apprehended in Altoona, Pennsylvania, following his arrest on firearm charges. The arrest came after he was recognized by a patron at a local McDonald’s who saw him in images circulated by the NYPD after the shooting.
According to New York City police, Mangione was in possession of a ghost gun believed to be the weapon used in the shooting, along with a suppressor, multiple fraudulent IDs, and a handwritten manifesto criticizing the healthcare system. Mayor Eric Adams referred to Mangione as a “strong person of interest” during a press conference on Monday.
The investigation utilized a combination of traditional detective work and modern technology to track down Mangione, who has ties to multiple states but no prior criminal record. The arrest occurred as a private funeral was being held for Thompson, who was fatally shot as he arrived at a hotel in Manhattan for a conference.
Mangione, a former valedictorian of a prep school, comes from a prominent family with business and civic ties throughout Maryland. His background includes attending elite institutions and pursuing multiple degrees, painting a picture of a seemingly normal individual before becoming a person of interest in the CEO’s murder.
As the case unfolds, details have emerged about Mangione’s past interactions, including concerning messages left by social media users before the shooting. Authorities have since arrived in Pennsylvania to question the person of interest, with the hope of shedding light on the tragic events that led to Thompson’s untimely death.