Luigi Mangione latest: UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect charged with murder as an ‘act of terrorism’
Brian Thompson shooting suspect is set to return to court for a preliminary hearing in Pennsylvania on Thursday
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Luigi Mangione has been indicted on murder charges for an “act of terrorism” in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, New York prosecutors revealed on Tuesday.
The indictment was announced during an afternoon press conference, days before the suspect is set to appear in Pennsylvania court for a preliminary hearing on gun charges. He was arrested in the Commonwealth after a nearly week-long manhunt.
The 26-year-old is accused of fatally shooting the healthcare executive on the streets of Midtown Manhattan on the morning of December 4 and then eluding police for five days before he was arrested at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania.
The suspected shooter has retained high-profile attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo to defend him. Agnifilo previously worked at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, serving as the chief assistant district attorney for seven years, before moving to private practice in 2021.
Mangione’s supporters continue to donate thousands of dollars for his “defense” fund. The anonymous fund “December 4th Legal Committee” has amassed more than $140,000 in donations on the crowdfunding website GiveSendGo.
UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect indicted on murder charges with prosecution calling it ‘act of terrorism’
Luigi Mangione and the dark truth behind our reaction to his arrest
Who is Luigi Mangione: What to know about man charged with murder in UnitedHealthcare CEO’s shooting death
Luigi Mangione documentary already in the works from Spotlight producers
4 in 10 young adults find Brian Thompson’s death ‘acceptable'
A new poll from Emerson College found that 41 percent of young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 found the killing of Brian Thompson acceptable, while 68 percent of people surveyed overall believe it is unacceptable.
Breaking down the younger demographic further, the poll found that 17 percent of young people surveyed found the suspect’s alleged actions “completely acceptable,” and 24 percent found it “somewhat acceptable.”
CEO shooting suspect indicted on murder charges in ‘act of terrorism’
The indictment comes as a poll found four in 10 young adults admit they find the killing of health insurance CEO ‘acceptable’
The alleged UnitedHealthcare shooter suffered from chronic pain. It’s a problem plaguing more than a third of Americans
Spondylolisthesis is a condition caused by a vertebra slipping out of place and putting pressure on the bones below.
While it commonly occurs in older adults due to a type of arthritis, a common disease that causes joint inflammation and stiffness, it can also be brought on by trauma, spinal destabilization, bone disease, or a birth defect.
Luigi Mangione suffered from chronic pain. It’s plagues a third of Americans
Chronic pain originates from various sources and is defined as any pain persisting beyond 3 months
Manhattan DA condemns condemns ‘brazen, targeted and premeditated shooting’ as ‘act of terrorism'
The shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was a “brazen, targeted and premeditated shooting” that was a “frightening, well-planned, targeted murder” intended to cause “shock” and “intimidation,” according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
“This type of premeditated, targeted gun violence cannot and will not be tolerated, and my office has been working day in and day out to bring the defendant to justice,” Bragg said during a news conference Tuesday.
Luigie Mangione was charged with 11 counts, including three murder charges.
Charges of murder in the first- and second-degree were characterized as acts of terrorism, with the ‘intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion, and affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping, committed the specified offense.”
Mangione also faces eight counts of weapons charges, including possession of an unsanctioned 3D-printed ghost gun, a silencer, and illegal high-capacity magazines.
Praise for Mangione is ‘vile, reckless and offensive,’ NYPD chief says
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch laid into social media support for Mangione after an outporing of ironic celebration and criticism aimed at healthcare companies followed the shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
“This was a senseless act of violence. It was a cold and calculated crime that stole a life and put New Yorkers at risk,” she said. “We don’t celebrate murders, and we don’t lionize the killing of anyone.”
She said any attempt to rationalize the shooting is “vile, reckless and offensive.
Read the New York grand jury’s indictment against Luigi Mangione
Prosecutors are expected to argue for Luigi Mangione’s extradition to Manhattan on a slew of charges unveiled by a grand jury on Tuesday.
He is charged with 11 counts total, including several murder counts and eight counts related to criminal possession of a firearm.
NYPD chief blasts social media commentary surrounding Mangione
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned what she called a “celebration” on social media of Brian Thompson’s killing.
“In the nearly two weeks since Mr. Thompsons killing, we have seen a shocking and appalling celebration of cold-blooded murder,” she said.
She said NYPD discovered “ghoulishly plastered posters” threatening other CEOs.
“I just can’t wrap my head around someone is celebrating this,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said.
New York murder charges accuse Mangione of ‘act of terorrism’
The first-degree murder charge against Luigi Mangione accuses the suspected shooter of committing “an act of terrorism, involving a violent act and acts dangerous to human life” that was “intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policies of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion, and affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping.”
The shooting was “intended to cause shock” and “intimidation,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said during a press conference on Tuesday.
“The intent was so sow terror,” he said.
Bragg condemns ‘brazen, targeted and premeditated shooting’ intended to cause ‘intimidation'
The shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was a “brazen, targeted and premeditated shooting” that was a “frightening, well-planned, targeted murder” intended to cause “shock” and “intimidation,” according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
“This type of premeditated, targeted gun violence cannot and will not be tolerated, and my office has been working day in and day out to bring the defendant to justice,” Bragg said.
The full list of charges against Luigi Mangione in New York
A grand jury indictment in New York charges Luigi Mangione with the following:
- first-degree murder
- two counts of second-degree murder
- two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree
- four counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree
- one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree
- one count of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree
Now: Manhattan DA announces charges against Luigi Mangione
Mangione has been charged with first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder as an act of terrorism, and mulitple weapons counts, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
He could face life imprisonment without possibility of parole
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