UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Shot Dead; Suspect Identified, Arrested

A viral video shows a gunman shot down the CEO UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Midtown Manhattan. The gunman wore a black jacket and a black face mask with a gray backpack when the crime happened. 

“Earlier today I was briefed by the Superintendent of the New York State Police on the horrific and targeted shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul said at the time. “I directed the State Police to provide [the New York Police Department] with any necessary assistance with the investigation to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers. Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Thompson and we are committed to ensuring the perpetrator is brought to justice.”

It was revealed that police in Altoona, Pennsylvania identified the gunman as Luigi Mangione after he was arrested on Monday (Dec. 9) for allegedly murdering Thompson.

A McDonald’s employee in the town alerted police of Mangione’s presence at the fastfood restaurant, and two officers arrested him at the scene after he was identified.

Police discovered a 3D-printed pistol and silencer inside a backpack, as well as a laptop and several pieces of ammunition.

Mangione presented a fake identification card to local police when he was arrested. The NYPD said it recognized the ID as Mangione also presented it when he checked into a Manhattan hostel in late November.

Mangione’s Educational, Professional Background

Mangione, 26, was a long-time resident of Maryland and came from an influential real estate family of Sicilian heritage in Baltimore. He attended a high school in the city where he was an athlete and graduated as valedictorian of his class in 2016.

He eventually obtained both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer engineering at the University of Pennsylvania in 2020 before working as a data engineer at TrueCar, a Los-Angeles-based automobile digital marketplace, until 2023.

Mangione’s friends said that he suffered from chronic back pain and the side effects of a surgery in 2023, both of which supposedly affected his personal life and relationship prospects.

Prior to the shooting, he worked in a co-living community in Honolulu founded by a certain RJ Martin, who described the suspect as a smart, accomplished, and upbeat engineer.

His social media accounts revealed his interest in a range of interests, from technology to video games, as well as content relating to self-help, clean eating, and tech commentaries.

In particular, his X account (@PepMangione) was briefly suspended by the platform before it was reinstated.

Mangione’s Grudges vs. UnitedHealthcare

According to the New York Times, Mangione also produced a handwritten manifesto criticizing healthcare companies for allegedly prioritizing profits instead of care, as well as mentioning UnitedHealthcare by name.

“These parasites had it coming,” the document wrote in part, as revealed by the NYPD. “I do apologize for any strife and trauma, but it had to be done.”

Investigators also revealed, through the manifesto, that Mangione was acting alone.

In response, Mangione’s cousin and Republican Maryland state delegate Nino Mangione issued a statement on behalf of the family, saying that they were shocked that one of their own was involved in the shooting.

“We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved,” the statement added.

Mangione faces five charges, including unlicensed gun ownership, forgery, and falsification of documents.