David Kaczynski, the brother of Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, says he hopes his brother is not the model for the suspect in the United Healthcare CEO shooting.
“I think we always have to remember that human motivation is very complex,” Kaczynski said by phone. NBC News interview.
“There are many factors that go into the motivations of someone who takes such a bold step. I hope my brother doesn't become a major role model for him,” he said of the suspect.
Luigi Mangione was arrested and charged Monday in connection with the murder of CEO Brian Thompson.
Thompson was shot and killed in New York City last week, sparking a manhunt for the masked and hooded suspect. Mangione was arrested at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania after an employee called law enforcement.
Ted Kaczynski died in federal custody last year at the age of 81. Over a period of 17 years, he mailed and handed out a series of homemade bombs that killed and injured more than 20 people.
His bombs targeted various universities, American Airlines planes, United Airlines presidents, and Boeing manufacturing facilities.
The Unabomber, as he is well known, was a Harvard-educated math genius who criticized the technological system.
As more details emerge about Mangione, it is known that he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania as valedictorian of his high school.
David Kaczynski said he feels “deeply personal pain” at the thought that his brother's past actions may have “in some way influenced a man like this to kill an innocent human being.” he said.
Since Mangione's arrest, he has garnered sympathy and support online, in part because of the influence of many people who have had issues with the health insurance industry.
David Kaczynski warned people not to think that someone like his brother could be a hero, calling his brother's actions a “virus.”
“If you think he's reframed violence as some sort of normalization or benefit to humanity, that's a terrible mistake,” he said.
