NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 04: Police place bullet casing markers outside of a Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then, a masked suspect fatally shot the UnitedHealthcare CEO on December 4. Now, the NYPD has reportedly arrested Luigi Nicholas Mangione, who is a “strong person of interest,” according to multiple news reports on Monday (December 9).
Editor’s Note: This article was first published on December 4 and updated on December 9 with new details about the shooting. This is live coverage of the ongoing investigation.
In a report from the Associated Press, the NYPD announced the arrest of a suspect being investigated for Brian’s murder. Law enforcement in Pennsylvania arrested a 26-year-old man at a McDonald’s in Altoona. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny crossed a couple of Ts at a news conference on Monday.
An employee called the police on the man for having a gun and writings about his hate for corporate America. The writings reportedly reveal “motivation and mindset,” Tisch stated. Altoona police said the man was acting suspiciously during questioning.
After the arrest, the gun police found on the man appears an at-home project made from parts called a ghost gun. That means no serial number and a tough trace. said Altoona police believe the gun was made in a 3D printer and capable of firing a 9mm round. Arresting officers also found a suppressor “consistent with the weapon used in the murder.”
Also, Luigi had on similar clothes as the masked shooter. He also had a mask AND multiple fake IDs, including one that matched an ID the shooter used to check in at a hotel in NYC before the shooting.
Other evidence collected by the police include he backpack in Central Park, cell phone in a plaza, a water bottle and a protein bar wrapper from Starbucks.
At this time, Luigi Nicholas Mangione remains in custody in Pennsylvania for gun charges. However, he’s expected to be extradited to NYC in connection to the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s case. In the meantime, NYPD detectives were en route to formally interview Luigi in Altoona, per the conference.
In the meantime, with Luigi’s identity out there, more details are surfacing about his life. Luigi Nicholas Mangione was born and raised in Maryland. He previously had ties to San Franciso and Honolulu, Hawaii.
NYPD Previously Shared Photos Of Masked Suspect
The incident occurred on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk in New York City, per the Associated Press. NYPD is still investigating the shooting and now believes Brian Thompson was “targeted.” A masked suspect has not been identified, but on Wednesday, cops released a photo of the assailant pointing the gun and fleeing the scene.
At the time of the shooting, around 6:45 a.m., the CEO was entering the Hilton Midtown Hotel for UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference, per the New York Times. Thompson was alone when the masked suspect shot him in the back. Surveillance video reportedly shows the 50-year-old stumbling after the first shot and turning around to face the masked suspect. Footage allegedly shows the gun briefly jamming before the suspect clears it and resumes shooting. The suspect used a silencer to mask the sound.
Images from Starbucks reportedly show a white man in a dark, hooded coat with a dark mask covering half of his face. The NYPD is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the masked suspect’s arrest.
On Thursday, the NYPD released additional photos of the suspect unmasked. He fits the initial description above.
According to the New York Police Department, the UnitedHealthcare CEO did not have a security detail. Right before the assailant escaped, Brian Thompson collapsed to the sidewalk. The suspect fled on foot before pedaling an e-Citi Bike into Central Park a few blocks away. Thompson sustained gunshot wounds to his chest and leg.
Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny confirmed the investigators are still investigating the case. In the hours after the fatal shooting, cops have been sweeping the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. However, Chief Kenny said that, so far, Brian Thompson doesn’t “seem like he had any issues at all.”
Meanwhile, NYC Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch shared that the attacker had waited for Brian to arrive, ignoring others strolling past. Tisch labeled it a “premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack.” A source revealed to the NYT that the suspect had visited a nearby Starbucks before the shooting. Police grabbed “forensic evidence” from the coffee shop, and picked up a disposed cell phone from the alley with alleged “investigative value” in it. Additional evidence reviewed by The Times indicates the attacker had arrived in the area at least 10 minutes before killing Thompson.
In another update, the Associated Press reports that investigators are still trying to determine a motive. However, the recovered ammunition from the shooting seems to be pointing that way. Three bullets were each marked with the words “Deny,” “Defend,” and “Depose.” AP reports that insurance companies use the phrase as a strategy to swerve in making claim payments, and that’s what the words might be referencing. Cops also recovered the 9mm shell casings from the crime scene.
According to the NYT, UnitedHealthcare issued a statement saying it was “deeply saddened and shocked” by the death of its CEO. “Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him,” the statement said.
Brian Thompson lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the father of two high school students. The 50-year-old had worked at UnitedHealth Group Inc. for 20 years. He has been running its insurance branch since 2021 after leading its Medicare and retirement business. Thompson was one of the company’s highest-paid executives. His $10.2 million annual pay included his salary, bonus, and stock options awards.
AP reports that UnitedHealthcare provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans. It is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, sells individual insurance, and administers health insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state- and federally funded Medicaid programs. Last year, under Brian Thompson’s leadership, the company brought in $281 billion in revenue.
AP reporters Adam Geller, Tom Murphy, Michael R. Sisak, and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report.
