Suspect in killing of UnitedHealth govt Brian Thompson in custody By Reuters

By Andrew Hay, Katharine Jackson and Joseph Ax

(Reuters) -Authorities have arrested the person suspected of killing UnitedHealth govt Brian Thompson in a brazen capturing exterior a Manhattan resort final week, New York Metropolis officers mentioned on Monday, ending a large five-day manhunt.

The suspect, recognized as Luigi Mangione, 26, was captured in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after he was noticed consuming at a McDonald’s (NYSE:) by an worker of the quick meals restaurant who believed he resembled the gunman, officers mentioned at a information convention.

Mangione was discovered with a “ghost gun” – a firearm assembled from elements, making it untraceable – and a silencer in keeping with the weapon used to shoot Thompson, New York Metropolis Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch mentioned, in addition to clothes and a masks just like these worn by the killer. The ghost gun might have been produced by a 3D printer, mentioned Joseph Kenny, the NYPD’s chief of detectives.

Mangione, a Maryland native, had a number of fraudulent identifications, together with a pretend New Jersey ID that matched the one utilized by the gunman to verify right into a Manhattan hostel days earlier than the capturing, officers mentioned.

Police additionally discovered a handwritten doc that speaks to “each his motivation and his mindset,” Tisch mentioned. Whereas the doc didn’t point out particular targets, Mangione harbored “unwell will towards company America,” Kenny added.

Mangione graduated from a non-public all-boys college in Baltimore as valedictorian in 2016 earlier than incomes twin engineering levels on the College of Pennsylvania, based on media studies, social media posts and faculty data. His final recognized tackle was in Honolulu, officers mentioned.

He was arrested on firearms fees by Altoona police and was scheduled to be arraigned on Monday night. He’ll possible be extradited to New York sooner or later to face fees associated to the homicide.

Thompson, 50, was gunned down exterior a Manhattan resort early on Wednesday morning by a masked man who appeared to attend for his arrival earlier than capturing the manager from behind.

The suspect ran from the scene after which rode a motorcycle into Central Park. Surveillance video captured him exiting the park and taking a taxi to a bus station in northern Manhattan, the place police consider he used a bus to flee town.

DENY DEFEND DEPOSE

Police mentioned Thompson gave the impression to be intentionally focused.

The phrases “deny,” “defend” and “depose” had been carved into shell casings discovered on the scene, a number of information retailers have reported. The phrases evoke the title of a e book crucial of the insurance coverage trade printed in 2010 titled “Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance coverage Firms Do not Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.”

Mangione graduated from the College of Pennsylvania in 2020 with bachelor’s and grasp’s levels in engineering, based on a graduation program.

A Fb (NASDAQ:) profile that seems to belong to Mangione recognized him as a local of Towson, Maryland, and a former pupil on the College of Pennsylvania. Photographs seem to indicate Mangione at Stanford College sporting Stanford-branded clothes.

Neither college instantly responded to requests for remark.

An X account that seems owned by Mangione says he has an M.S.E. and B.S.E. in laptop science from the College of Pennsylvania and lives in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Thompson’s homicide unleashed a wave of frustration from Individuals who’ve seen their medical health insurance claims or care denied, confronted sudden prices or paid extra for premiums and medical care – all tendencies which are rising, based on latest knowledge.

Thompson, a father of two, had been CEO of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:)’s insurance coverage unit since April 2021, a part of a 20-year profession with the corporate. He had been in New York to attend the corporate’s annual investor convention.

“Our hope is that immediately’s apprehension brings some aid to Brian’s household, buddies, colleagues and the various others affected by this unspeakable tragedy,” a spokesperson for UnitedHealth mentioned.