Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was arrested on Monday, December 9 in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Governor Josh Shapiro praised a fast-food worker for alerting the police after recognizing Mangione at a McDonald’s.
Mangione’s arrest came just five days after Thompson was shot in front of the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. He has been identified as a person of interest in the case and is facing several lesser charges.
During a press conference following the arrest, Governor Shapiro spoke about the tragic loss of Brian Thompson, emphasizing his roles as a father, husband, and friend, not just as a CEO. Shapiro condemned violent actions taken in response to differing opinions, stressing that a civil society does not resolve conflicts through such means.
Shapiro highlighted the real hero of this situation as the person who called 911, while criticizing anyone who may view the shooter as a hero. He encouraged the community to remember Thompson as a human being, deserving of respect and dignity, rather than just a figure associated with a disfavored system.
Upon his detention, Mangione was reportedly found with a ghost gun similar to the one used in the shooting, several fake IDs, and a manifesto targeting the health insurance sector. Mangione was arraigned in a local court, where he was denied bail and is scheduled to return to court on December 23. He faces multiple charges, including felony forgery and carrying a firearm without a license.
