Manhattan DA Announces Indictment in UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Case
Indictment Unsealed, New Charges Added
The 26-year-old Ivy League grad charged with murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a Manhattan sidewalk this month has been indicted by a grand jury in the case, the district attorney’s office announced Tuesday.
Charges Include First-Degree Murder, Terrorism
Luigi Mangione stands accused of first-degree murder, in furtherance of terrorism; second-degree murder, one count of which is charged as killing as an act of terrorism; criminal possession of a weapon and other crimes.
DA Describes "Frightening, Well-Planned" Murder
"This was a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said at a news conference Tuesday. "It occurred in one of the most bustling parts of our city, threatened the safety of local residents and tourists alike, commuters and businesspeople just starting out on their day."
Mangione’s Lawyer Silent, Extradition Process Underway
Mangione’s New York lawyer has not commented on the case. Prosecutors are working to extradite Mangione from Pennsylvania, where he was arrested on unrelated weapons charges, to New York City to formally face charges in the 50-year-old health executive’s death. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Thursday.
Evidence Links Mangione to the Scene
Police have detailed some of the evidence they said links Mangione to the scene of the shooting, including fingerprints and ballistic evidence. Roughly a half hour before the shooting, video from a Starbucks location in midtown Manhattan showed the masked-up killer buying a bottle of water and a KIND bar. Police said five fingerprints on a water bottle and two fingerprints on a KIND bar wrapper found near the scene of the shooting matched Mangione’s.
Ballistics Match Confirmed
The gun found on the suspect when he was arrested on Dec. 9 was sent to the NYPD, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. The department confirmed there was a ballistics-related match, with shell casings from the scene of the shooting matching those found in the weapon.
Possible Motive Emerge
In his alleged writings, Mangione wrote about wanting to use a gun to target a CEO of a big corporation, like UnitedHeathcare, at a conference. "What do you do? You wack the CEO at the annual parasitic bean-counter convention. It’s targeted, precise, and doesn’t risk innocents," writings inside a notebook believed to belong to him stated.
Next Court Appearance Scheduled
Mangione is next scheduled to appear in court on gun charges in Pennsylvania on Dec. 19.
FAQs
Q: What are the charges against Luigi Mangione?
A: Mangione is charged with first-degree murder, in furtherance of terrorism; second-degree murder, one count of which is charged as killing as an act of terrorism; criminal possession of a weapon and other crimes.
Q: What is the possible motive behind the murder?
A: Police believe the motive may be linked to Mangione’s alleged writings about targeting a CEO of a big corporation, like UnitedHealthcare, at a conference.
Q: What is the current status of Mangione’s case?
A: Mangione is currently being held in a Pennsylvania prison and is awaiting extradition to New York City to face charges in the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s murder. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Thursday.
