Luigi Mangione charged with murder, terrorism

Luigi Mangione taken into custody for allegedly murdering health care CEO Brian Thompson

(Image credit: Jeff Swensen / Getty Images)

published 18 December 2024

What happened

New York prosecutors announced new charges against Luigi Mangione on Tuesday, including first-degree murder "in furtherance of an act of terrorism" tied to the fatal shooting of United HealthCare CEO Brian Thompson outside a midtown Manhattan hotel. The 10 other charges against Mangione, 26, include second-degree murder as an act of terrorism, second-degree murder and weapons charges.

Who said what

The Dec. 4 murder of Thomason, 50, "was not an ordinary killing," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg told reporters, explaining the indictment. "This was a killing that was intended to evoke terror. And we've seen that reaction." First-degree murder in New York "only applies to a narrow list of aggravating circumstances," including terrorism, murder-for hire or killing a judge, cop or first responder, CNN said.

Thompson's murder "kindled a fiery outpouring of resentment toward U.S. health insurance companies," The Associated Press said, and "rattled C-suites, as 'wanted' posters with other health care executives' names and faces appeared on New York streets and some social media users extolled Mangione's deed as payback" for denied coverage, large bills and long delays in treatment. UnitedHealthcare said Mangione, who underwent major back surgery, was never a client.

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New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch criticized the "shocking and appalling celebration of cold-blooded murder."

What next?

A conviction on the most serious charges could land Mangione in prison for life without parole. He has an extradition hearing scheduled for Thursday in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested at a McDonald's. Despite earlier indications, Mangione won't fight extradition to New York, his lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo told CNN.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.