A Woman’s Obsession with Luigi Mangione Leads to Arrest
A Massachusetts Woman’s Descent into Violence
A Massachusetts woman, Ryan Michael English, also known as Riley English, was arrested on Monday and charged with weapons offenses after telling police that she had gone to the U.S. Capitol to kill members of President Donald Trump’s cabinet. According to prosecutors, English was influenced by Luigi Mangione, the man charged with fatally shooting the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
A Mission of Vengeance
English, 24, of South Deerfield, Massachusetts, told police that she felt like she was “on a mission” and “had been thinking about this for a while because of Luigi Mangione,” prosecutors said. Mangione pleaded not guilty in December to state murder and terror charges in a Manhattan court.
A Descent into Violence
English was arrested on weapons charges after she approached police at the Capitol and said she came there to kill billionaire investor Scott Bessent on the day that the Senate confirmed the South Carolina resident as Trump’s treasury secretary, according to a Tuesday court filing. Investigators said they found a folding knife, two homemade firebombs, and a lighter in English’s possession.
A Cry for Help?
English also said she traveled from Massachusetts to Washington, D.C., intending to kill other Republican political figures – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and House Speaker Mike Johnson – and to burn down the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, according to police. English changed her target to Bessent after reading an internet post about his confirmation hearing, police said.
A Terminal Illness and a Cry for Help
English told officers that she was terminally ill and “wanted to do something before I go,” according to prosecutors. Defense attorney Maria Jacob said English only went to the Capitol “as a cry for help” and didn’t intend to harm anybody.
A Premeditated and Calculated Attempt
“The criminal conduct for which she is before the Court is not a momentary lapse in judgment; rather, it was a premeditated and calculated attempt to commit violence,” prosecutors wrote.
Conclusion
English’s arrest serves as a reminder of the dangers of extremism and the importance of addressing the root causes of violence. While English’s motivations may have been complex, her actions were unacceptable and have serious consequences.
FAQs
Q: What was Luigi Mangione’s crime?
A: Luigi Mangione is charged with fatally shooting the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
Q: What was Ryan Michael English’s crime?
A: English was charged with weapons offenses after telling police that she had gone to the U.S. Capitol to kill members of President Donald Trump’s cabinet.
Q: What was English’s motivation for the crime?
A: English told police that she was influenced by Luigi Mangione and felt like she was “on a mission” to kill members of the Trump administration.
Q: Did English intend to harm anyone?
A: According to her defense attorney, English only went to the Capitol “as a cry for help” and didn’t intend to harm anybody.
