In Altoona, Pennsylvania, a McDonald’s worker played a key role in helping the police locate the suspect wanted for the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The brazen assassination outside of a hotel in Manhattan last week sparked a nationwide manhunt that came to an end in the Pennsylvania town.
Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested on Monday at the McDonald’s. He is facing several charges, including for Thompson’s murder.
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From left to right: Luigi Mangione and Brian Thompson.
PA Dept. of Corrections/UnitedHealth Group via AP
According to a regular customer of the Altoona McDonald’s who was present on Monday when the suspect, Mangione, was also there, it was evident that many people, including the employee, were suspicious of the man and speculated if he could be the wanted individual.
Eventually, that McDonald’s workers called the police.
Shockwaves continue to roll through Altoona at the McDonald’s where Mangione was arrested Monday.
“I was informed that the employee who took his orders noticed something peculiar about his eyes and eyebrows, leading her to believe it was him,” shared Larry, a witness who chose not to disclose his last name. “She then reported her suspicions to two managers, stating, ‘I think the shooter from New York is in here.'”
Larry said he didn’t report it but a friend thought he recognized Mangione too.
Luigi Mangione is seen eating at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pa. on Dec. 9, 2024, in a photo released by the Pennsylvania State Police.
Pennsylvania State Police
“We pretty much laughed about it like, ‘Oh yeah, sure. Ok.’ But it turned out it was him,” Larry recalled.
Authorities in New York have charged Mangione with the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in midtown Manhattan last week.
He also faces charges in Pennsylvania for lying to police about his identity and possession of a gun without a license, which police say was a 3D-printed gun and silencer.
“We say this all the time, if you see something, say something. Do something, and this case that McDonald’s employee did just that, and we are grateful as the city to that person,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
As officials heap praise on the unidentified McDonalds worker, they’re doing the same for the Altoona Police Officer Taylor Frye, who made the arrest.
Frye has only been on the job for six months. He spoke briefly on Monday night at the Blair County courthouse about this high point in his short career.
“I can’t say I was expecting it by any means but it feels good to get a guy like that off the street, especially starting my career this way it feels great,” Frye said.
Meanwhile, investigators are still asking for tips while they continue to piece together a timeline of Mangione’s movements from New York and across Pennsylvania.
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“I still can’t hardly believe it’s for real,” Larry said.
Mangione needs to be back in court in Blair County on December 23.
He is currently housed at SCI Huntington.
There has been no word on when he’ll be extradited back to New York City to face murder charges.
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