Towson Man Taken Into Custody For Shooting Death Of UnitedHealthCare CEO
Source: Alex Kent / Getty
The person of interest arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania in the search for the individual who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has been identified as 26-year-old Luigi Mangione of Towson, MD.
Mangione has not been charged in the slaying but was taken into custody Monday morning while eating at a McDonalds. According to reports from The New York Post, Mangione was caught with a ghost gun that uses 9mm bullets, a silencer, a US passport, four fake IDs with names used during the killer’s stint in New York City, and the manifesto, sources said.
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“Responding officers questioned the suspect, who was acting suspiciously and was carrying multiple fraudulent IDs, as well as a U.S. passport. Upon further investigation, officers recovered a firearm on his person as well as a suppressor, both consistent with the weapon used in the murder,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. “”They also recovered clothing, including a mask consistent with those worn by our wanted individual. Also recovered was a fraudulent new Jersey ID matching the ID our suspect used to check into his New York City hostel before the shooting incident. Additionally, officers recovered a handwritten document that speaks to both his motivation and mindset.”
The manifesto allegedly consisted of two and a half handwritten pages that had similar quotes that Mangione posted on his Goodreads account from Ted Kaczynski, the infamous “Unabomber’’ who terrorized the country for nearly two decades by mailing deadly bombs before he was nabbed in 1996. The manifesto said the suspect acted alone, sources said.
The United Health Group reacted to Monday’s detainment:
“Our hope is that today’s apprehension brings some relief to Brian’s family, friends, colleagues and the many others affected by this unspeakable tragedy,” a UnitedHealth Group spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “We thank law enforcement and will continue to work with them on this investigation.”
Officials also noted that while the arrest was peaceful, he wasn’t talking to authorities. He also did not have a lawyer as of Monday afternoon.
The attack occurred last Wednesday morning as Thompson was walking from his hotel to UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference at a nearby Hilton hotel. The police believe the attack was targeted, but the motive remains unclear. Thompson, who had been with UnitedHealthcare since 2004, had reportedly received threats before his death, possibly related to issues with insurance coverage.
Thompson’s death has sent shockwaves through the health insurance industry, as UnitedHealthcare serves over 49 million Americans and generates billions in revenue. The company has faced criticism, particularly from doctors and patients, for its denial rates and issues with prior authorizations. A Senate report in October highlighted UnitedHealthcare, along with other insurers like Humana and CVS, for their high denial rates for Medicare Advantage patients. Despite the attack, UnitedHealthcare’s conference continued without Thompson, and the company has not yet publicly addressed the exact reasons behind the murder.
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