‘Strong Person Of Interest’ In UnitedHealthcare CEO Killing Arrested On Firearms Charges

Topline

A “strong person of interest” in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson—who was fatally shot last Wednesday—was arrested on firearms charges in Pennsylvania on Monday, New York Police Department officials said.

Key Facts

NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a press conference that Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested on firearms charges and said he is “believed to be our person of interest in the brazen targeted murder” of Thompson.

She said Mangione was recognized in a McDonald’s and reported to local police, who then found he had “multiple fraudulent IDs,” a U.S. passport, a firearm and suppressor similar to what was used in the murder and a “handwritten document that speaks to both his motivation and mindset.”

NYPD Chief Detective Joseph Kenny said Mangione will face gun charges in Pennsylvania and will be extradited to New York to face charges there, too.

Prior to the arrest, police said they believed the shooting was “a brazen targeted attack” and searched New York City before saying they believed the suspect had left the city on a bus.

Thompson was shot from behind just before 7 a.m. last Wednesday outside of the New York Hilton Midtown and was hit in the back and right calf, after which the suspect fled the area on foot and on an electric bike, police officials said Wednesday.

Officers found three 9mm rounds at the scene and bullet casings had the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” on them, which echo a phrase commonly used to criticize tactics insurance companies use to reject claims.

This story is breaking and will be updated.

Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.

Key Background

Thompson, 50, was the CEO of the health insurance division of the $550 billion UnitedHealth Group and was in New York City on Wednesday for UnitedHealth Group’s investor meeting—which was called off after the shooting. A Minnesota resident, he had served as chief executive since April 2021 and had been with UnitedHealth Group since 2004. A video of the shooting showed the suspect walk out behind Thompson—who did not have a security detail—before firing multiple times. Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News “there had been some threats,” but didn’t provide details on what the threats were. Thompson had two sons, one who just graduated from high school and one still in high school. Police had been searching for the gunman by utilizing diving teams in Central Park, flying helicopters, searching through security cameras in the area, maintaining drones and using dogs. They released several photos of the suspected shooter since Wednesday, though his face was largely covered in all of them.

Big Number

$10,000. That’s up to how much the NYPD was offering to anyone with information regarding Thoimpson’s killing.

Further Reading