Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 9, 2024, in connection with the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The arrest comes after a week of speculation about the identity and motivations of the person responsible for Thompson’s death in Midtown Manhattan.
Mangione, who was arraigned on firearms and forgery charges in Pennsylvania on December 9, is now facing murder charges filed by New York prosecutors. Authorities believe he used a “ghost gun” — a homemade, untraceable firearm — to kill Thompson. In addition to the ghost gun, Mangione was found in possession of a fake ID and a handwritten, three-page manifesto that expressed his anger toward corporate America, particularly the healthcare system.
The NYPD’s Chief Detective, Joseph Kenny, described the manifesto as indicating some “ill will toward corporate America,” but more details about his motivations are still unclear. Mangione’s arrest has prompted many to question why he, a man with a privileged background, would target the head of a major healthcare corporation.
Despite the outrage sparked by the shooting, Mangione’s life story reveals a man with opportunities that many Americans do not have. He grew up in Baltimore in a successful family that owns two country clubs. He attended the Gilman School, a prestigious private school, where he graduated as the valedictorian.
Mangione then went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in computer science. During his time at Penn, he was active in student life, founding a game development club that grew to over 50 members. After graduation in 2020, Mangione worked as a data engineer at TrueCar, a position he held until 2023.
His social media accounts paint a picture of a man interested in philosophy, wellness, and self-help, particularly the work of controversial figures like Andrew Huberman. One of his Goodreads reviews even shows support for the writings of Theodore Kaczynski, the infamous Unabomber who targeted corporate figures, including the president of United Airlines.
Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot in Midtown Manhattan on December 4, 2024. The shooting sparked a wave of public outrage about the U.S. healthcare system and the role of for-profit companies in its dysfunction. Many people expressed anger on social media, venting about the perceived greed and corruption of healthcare giants like UnitedHealthcare.
Mangione’s motivations, however, appear to be more personal, as suggested by the manifesto found in his possession. It seems he viewed Thompson’s death as a symbolic act against the corporate world. But while Mangione expressed disdain for the healthcare system, he came from a background that is far removed from the financial struggles that many Americans face when dealing with healthcare costs.
The arrest of Mangione followed an intense search. Surveillance footage from the crime scene in New York, coupled with the discovery of a digital trail, helped authorities identify Mangione. A customer at the McDonald’s in Altoona noticed someone who resembled the suspect from the released images, leading to his capture.
After his arrest, the NYPD found a three-page handwritten document that offered further insight into Mangione’s mindset. He had reportedly been critical of corporate America and its impact on the health system, but much of the details surrounding his personal life and motivations remain unclear.
Mangione’s online presence has also drawn attention, particularly his support for certain controversial figures. His Goodreads account contained a positive review for works by Theodore Kaczynski, whose anti-corporate, anti-technology views have made him infamous. Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber, carried out a series of bombings targeting people he saw as contributing to the destruction of nature and the rise of technological society. This connection has raised concerns about Mangione’s worldview and whether he saw himself as acting on similar principles.
Public Reactions and Social Media Fallout
In the aftermath of Mangione’s arrest, a strange turn of events occurred when the McDonald’s in Altoona, where he was apprehended, became the target of online “review bombing.” Some individuals left negative, mocking reviews of the restaurant, accusing staff of “selling out” or labeling them as “rats” for calling the police. Google quickly removed these reviews, as they violated its policies, which state that reviews should reflect genuine experiences.
Mangione is currently being held without bond in a Pennsylvania jail and is expected to be extradited to New York to face charges related to Thompson’s murder.