LUIGI Mangione has become a primary suspect in the case of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The tragic incident occurred outside a high-end hotel in New York City, leading to a five-day pursuit before Mangione was apprehended by law enforcement.
Mangione, 26, was arrested at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday morning in connection with the high-profile murder.
The suspect had writings that criticized the health insurance industry, and a gun similar to the one used in the attack.
Upon his arrest at a restaurant 280 miles away from the crime scene, Mangione was found in possession of a silencer and counterfeit identification documents. These discoveries have added complexity to the investigation.
Mangione was born and raised in Maryland and his last known address was in Honolulu, Hawaii. He had no prior criminal history.
The fatal attack on Thompson happened last Wednesday at 6:45 am, while he was en route from his hotel to an investor conference being held at the Hilton establishment.
The shooter milled around the entrance for minutes before sneaking up behind the CEO and unloading a barrage of bullets into his back and leg, eerie surveillance revealed.
After the brazen and targeted crime, the killer jumped on an e-bike, pedaling uptown before zooming into Central Park.
He then exited Central Park around 77th Street, still with the bike, New York Police Department Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told CNN.
DESTINATION UNKNOWN
Police released more surveillance footage on December 6 that showed the suspect walking to 86th Street and Columbus Avenue before getting into a taxi to Port Authority Bus Terminal, near 178th Street and Broadway.
On December 7, investigators released two additional photos of the alleged assassin in the back seat of a taxi on the day of the shooting.
The accused killer was pictured in the vehicle’s back seat with a blue surgical mask, a dark hat, and a black hood.
The second image captured the man walking on the sidewalk near the taxi.
Investigators believed the suspected gunman boarded an interstate bus and escaped the city.
New York Police recovered a backpack believed to belong to the suspect in Central Park wedged between two rocks near the carousel on December 7.
Inside the Peak Design backpack, authorities found a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and Monopoly money, according to CNN.
The murder weapon has not been found.
‘FLIRTATIOUS ASSASSIN’
Hours after the fatal shooting in Midtown, authorities released two images of the suspect shrouded in dark clothing and a face mask in a desperate bid to arrest the suspect, but days went by without his identity being released.
Another bizarre image of a person of interest grinning a sly smile while reportedly flirting with a receptionist was shared, but this didn’t immediately lead to any breakthroughs.
It’s believed the suspect was able to evade the police by using a fake ID and wearing a mask as he stayed at the HI New York City Hotel in the Upper West Side.
Investigators discovered bullets at the scene that had the words “deny,” “depose,” and “defend” written on them.
It has been speculated that the words could refer to the book Delay, Deny, Defend, which unpacks the failings of insurance companies.
Police recovered three live 9mm rounds and three discharged casings.
Authorities also found a dropped cell phone and combed Citi Bike data as part of their probe.
The suspect came to New York City last month on a bus that left from Atlanta.
Military experts claimed the hooded shooter was a professional hitman.
DNA evidence was sent to a lab on Thursday, but it’s unclear exactly what detectives got their hands on.
Before the shooting, the killer visited a Starbucks on West 56th Street, where he bought a coffee, water, and two energy bars, paying in cash.
The water bottle was left at the coffee shop, and police nabbed the DNA to start a profile.
What we know…
- The killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson remains at large as the manhunt enters its third day.
- Security camera images of a smiling man wearing a hooded jacket have been released, while a fake ID, cellphone, and DNA sample have reportedly been found.
- The killer pulled down his face mask while flirting with a hotel receptionist.
- Cops believe the assassin used a rare “World War Two spy gun” fitted with a silencer to kill Thompson.
- The killer fled into Central Park on a bike wearing a backpack but was later spotted leaving without it.
- He arrived in New York last month after boarding a Greyhound bus that originated in Atlanta.
- Terrified CEOs are stepping up their security in the wake of the killing over fears of copycat assassination attempts.
- A $10,000 reward for any information about the killing is being offered by police.
CEO’S THREATS
Thompson’s relatives have branded the killing senseless.
“We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian,” grieving wife Paulette told CNN.
“Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives.
“Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed.”
Paulette claimed her husband had been threatened in the past.
The shooting unfolded just hours before tourists flocked to watch the Rockefeller Christmas Tree lights switch on.
Timeline of Brian Thompson’s murder
BRIAN Thompson, the 50-year-old CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was shot to death in Manhattan in an execution-like killing, and a desperate search is underway for his assassin.
Here is everything we know about Thompson’s murder so far.
Monday, December 2 – Thompson travels from his home in Minnesota to New York City for an investor conference in Midtown Manhattan.
Wednesday, December 4, 6:45 am – Thompson walks from his hotel across the street to the New York Hilton Midtown and is murdered by a masked shooter. The execution was caught on surveillance, and the suspect was seen biking away toward Central Park. Cops spark a citywide search for the assassin.
11:30 am – Cops released disturbing images of the execution, offered a reward for information, and made a desperate plea for New Yorkers to keep their eyes out.
12:00 pm – Thompson’s estranged wife Paulette revealed her husband had been threatened before he was shot.
2:45 pm – Cops released more eerie images of the suspect ordering at Starbucks that partially revealed his face. The U.S. Sun confirmed the coffee shop was just two blocks away from the shooting, but it’s unclear when he stopped by.
December 5, 6 am – Reports claim the words “deny,” “dispose,” and “defend” were engraved on live rounds and shell casings left behind by the assassin. These words echo the book Delay, Deny, Defend, which is about the failings of the healthcare industry. The author of the book had no comment on the reports.
8 am– Cops raid a hostel in the Upper West Side of New York City where the suspect is said to have stayed. It’s believed he wore a mask for most of the time he was there.
11 am – A person of interest in Thompson’s murder is pictured. He’s wearing a hood in the photo, but his full face could be seen breaking into a beaming grin. Still, no arrests have been made in the investigation.
Afternoon – Law enforcement confirms the suspect arrived in New York City on a Greyhound bus on November 24. It’s also confirmed that the suspect dropped a burner cell phone near the scene of the shooting.
December 6, 3 pm – Police announce they believe the killer has left New York City via interstate bus. They release more surveillance footage that shows him taking a taxi to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station.
