Police in Pennsylvania arrested a 26-year-old man on local charges and identified him as a person of interest in the fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City last week.
Commissioner Jessica Tisch of the New York Police Department confirmed that Altoona police arrested Luigi Mangione.
Tisch stated during a briefing that Luigi Mangione is believed to be “our person of interest in the brazen, targeted murder of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, last Wednesday in Midtown Manhattan.”
Around 9 a.m., authorities arrested Mangione at a McDonald’s in Altoona, about 280 miles from New York City. An employee recognized him and called the police, according to officials.
According to Tisch, Mangione was carrying a gun, a silencer, and a fake New Jersey ID with the same name as the suspect who checked into a hostel on November 24.
Officers also found clothing and a mask “consistent with those worn by our wanted individual.”
As of 3 p.m. Monday, authorities had not charged Mangione in connection with the shooting, nor had they officially identified him as a suspect.
Mangione will face gun charges in Altoona, and the district attorney’s office will discuss any potential extradition back to New York City, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.
New York Mayor Eric Adams described Mangione as a “strong person of interest” during a briefing on Monday afternoon.
According to police, Mangione was born and raised in Maryland and has lived in San Francisco and Hawaii.
The New York Times reported that a person with the same name attended a private high school in Baltimore. According to the University of Pennsylvania, he received his engineering degree in 2020.
Kenny claimed Mangione had a “ghost gun,” possibly made with a 3-D printer, that could fire 9mm rounds.
Kenny claimed Mangione was also carrying a three-page handwritten manifesto. He wouldn’t say whether it mentioned Thompson by name or UnitedHealthcare, but he did say police don’t believe there are any other threats.
“It does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America,” according to Kenny.
Kenny also claimed that the police’s release of a photo of the suspect’s face played a crucial role in Mangione’s capture.
Thompson was killed early on December 4 outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel after being shot in the back and right calf while on his way to address an investor meeting. The hospital pronounced him dead.
The attacker fled to Central Park, and police have been looking for a suspect ever since. They discovered a backpack in Central Park Friday that they believe the killer discarded as he fled the scene. Officials believe he left the city on a bus the day of the shooting.
Authorities gathered and tested DNA evidence, including a discarded water bottle and protein bar wrapper found near the scene. Police say they believe the suspect used a fake ID while staying in the city overnight.
The FBI also joined the investigation, offering up to $50,000 for information that leads to the gunman’s arrest and conviction, according to the FBI’s New York City field office.
On Monday, a spokesperson for UnitedHealth Group issued a statement in response to the arrest, saying they hope it “brings some relief to Brian’s family, friends, colleagues, and the many others affected by this unspeakable tragedy.”
We thank law enforcement and will continue to cooperate with them on this investigation. We ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy while they mourn.