Police have charged 26-year-old Luigi Mangione for the shooting death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione was initially detained as a person of interest, but as authorities uncovered evidence linked to the crime, he was charged with murder. Authorities say they found him in possession of a firearm suppressor (also known as a silencer) and a fake ID that was consistent with the ID used to check into a New York City hotel before the shooting.
Mangione was identified by restaurant employees who recognized him at a McDonald’s in Altoona, PA, and immediately called police.
Brian Thompson 50, was shot in the back and leg outside of a hotel in New York City where he was attending an annual investors conference.
BRIAN THOMPSON
In a strange turn of events, supporters of Mangione are taking to social media demanding for his release and calling him a hero. Many believe the shooting is a stand for inequalities in today’s healthcare system and others have made known their physical attraction to the accused killer.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch spoke out about the social media craze. “In the nearly two weeks since Mr. Thompson’s killing, we have seen a shocking and appalling celebration of cold-blooded murder. Social media has erupted with praise with this cowardly attack,” She went on to say, “People ghoulishly plastered posters threatening other CEOs with an X over Mr. Thompson’s picture.”
The shooting death and threats has forced other healthcare companies to provide security for their CEO’s as a precautionary measure.
Mangione faces a first-degree murder charge and two second-degree murder charges including an act of terrorism. The charges carry a maximum of life in prison.
Mangione has hired high profile attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo to represent him. She is married to Marc Agnifilo, who is the defense attorney for Sean “Diddy” Combs.
