Authorities in New York have announced the arrest of a “strong person of interest” in connection with the murder of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
Thompson was fatally shot in Midtown Manhattan last week in what police have described as a targeted and premeditated killing.
The suspect, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, was apprehended in Altoona, Pennsylvania, approximately 280 miles west of New York City.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed the arrest during a press conference on Monday, though Mangione has not yet been formally charged. Police are continuing their investigation into his potential role in the attack.
Mangione was detained after an employee at a McDonald’s in Altoona reported him to the police, suspecting his behavior to be unusual.
Upon his arrest, police found several items linking him to the crime, including a gun resembling the one used in the shooting, a mask consistent with that worn by the suspect, and a firearm equipped with a suppressor.
Mangione also carried multiple fake IDs and a US passport.
Police also discovered handwritten documents on his person that they say reveal his “motivation and mindset,” with New York Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny noting that the writings reflected “ill will towards corporate America.”
The victim, Brian Thompson, was shot in the back on December 4 outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, where his company was hosting an investor meeting.
At the scene of the crime, investigators recovered shell casings with the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” written on them.
These phrases are believed to reference tactics used by health insurance companies to deny claims, often referred to as the “three D’s of insurance.”
UnitedHealthcare, which Thompson led, has faced criticism in the past for its denial of customer claims.
Authorities have pieced together Mangione’s movements before and after the attack.
Surveillance footage revealed that he arrived in New York on November 24, stayed at a hostel, and visited a Starbucks before the shooting.
After the crime, Mangione fled into Central Park, where he discarded a backpack containing a jacket and Monopoly money, before taking a cab to a nearby bus station.
The investigation has involved collaboration between the New York Police Department, the FBI, and law enforcement in multiple states.
Surveillance photos, shell casings with cryptic messages, and witness accounts played significant roles in tracking the suspect.
The FBI also offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Mangione’s arrest marks a significant development, though formal extradition proceedings will be required before he can be returned to New York to face charges.
Commissioner Tisch emphasized the importance of public vigilance, crediting the McDonald’s employee’s tip as instrumental in identifying the suspect.
The case remains under investigation as authorities continue to gather evidence and determine the full scope of Mangione’s motives.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@NairobiNews.co.ke
