Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has been transported back to New York City to face numerous charges in the targeted killing.
In a Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, court early Thursday morning, Mangione waived the right to challenge his extradition, clearing the way for his transfer back to New York, where he is accused of shooting Thompson. Mangione was apprehended at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s last week. He was quickly placed on a plane following the hearing and is due in court in Manhattan later that afternoon for an arraignment on federal charges.
The NYPD shared a photo of its officers leading Mangione to the plane on social media:
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 19, 2024
On Tuesday, Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg unveiled his office’s indictment against Mangione, levying 11 counts against the suspect including first-degree murder in the furtherance of terrorism. Mangione faces a possible maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. Prosecutors allege that he traveled to New York days in advance with the intent of killing Thompson and waited for the CEO for nearly an hour outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan. They allege that once Thompson appeared, a masked Mangione came up behind him and shot him multiple times in the back and leg. Thompson was transported to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Mangione fled the scene and led authorities on a nationwide manhunt.He was found with a 3-D-printed gun, silencer, and multiple fake IDs as well as a handwritten note some have described as a “manifesto.” In Pennsylvania, he faces five counts including forgery and carrying a firearm without a license.
The New York Times reported Wednesday that federal prosecutors were intending to bring additional counts against Mangione for the killing with sources telling the outlet that the case would be brought by the Southern District of New York. A federal criminal complaint unsealed Thursday lists four new charges against Mangione including murder through use of a firearm as well as stalking charges, per CNN.
In a statement, Mangione’s attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo said, “The federal government’s reported decision to pile on top of an already overcharged first-degree murder and state terror case is highly unusual and raises serious constitutional and statutory double jeopardy concerns. We are ready to fight these charges in whatever court they are brought.”
