Luigi Mangione charged with ‘act of terrorism’

Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old charged with killing a healthcare CEO in New York, has been indicted on terrorism charges.

Luigi Mangione, the man charged with shooting dead UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York, has been indicted on terrorism charges.

“Luigi Mangione, the defendant, is charged with one count of murder in the first degree and two counts of murder in the second degree, including one count of murder in the second degree as an act of terrorism,” said Alvin Bragg, the district attorney for Manhattan.

Mr Bragg said the execution-style killing of Mr Thompson was “not an ordinary killing”. “This was a killing that it was intended to evoke terror, and we’ve seen that reaction,” he said.

Luigi Mangione is led into the Blair County Courthouse for an extradition hearing December 10, 2024 in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

The suspect was also charged with several crimes related to his possession of a weapon, which authorities said was a 3D-printed “ghost gun.”

“We allege he... took out a nine-millimeter 3D-printed ghost gun equipped with a 3D-printed suppressor and shot (Thompson) once in the back and once in the leg,” said Mr Bragg.

“These weapons are increasingly proliferating throughout New York City and the entire country. Evolving technology will only make this problem worse,” he said.

“Last year, over 80 ghost guns and ghost gun parts were recovered in Manhattan alone.”

Mr Mangione is due to face court in Pennsylvania on Thursday, local time, for a hearing into efforts to extradite him to New York.

“We have indications that the defendant may waive that hearing, in which case he will be brought to New York forthwith,” Mr Bragg said.

Mangione, 26, was arrested on December 9 when he was recognised at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania following a tip from staff, with police finding a gun, fake IDs and documents discussing the crime and possible motives.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Picture: UnitedHealth Group / AFP

He is accused of murdering Mr Thompson on a Manhattan street outside a busy hotel hosting an investor gathering, triggering a nationwide manhunt and sending shock waves through corporate America.

Police have said that when he was arrested, Mangione had a three-page handwritten text criticising the US health care system, which is often maligned for putting profits ahead of people.

He also had a notebook with him containing planning notes for the murder, The New York Times reported citing law enforcement sources.
“What do you do? You wack the CEO at the annual parasitic bean-counter convention. It’s targeted, precise, and doesn’t risk innocents,” said one entry according to The Times.

In the wake of Mr Thompson’s killing, many social media users have lionised Mangione, with some even calling for further killings of other CEOs.

Jessica Tisch, the New York City police commissioner, criticised members of the public who had praised the murder.

“In the nearly two weeks since Mr Thompson’s killing, we have seen a shocking and appalling celebration of cold-blooded murder,” said Tisch.

- with Agence France-Presse (AFP)