Democratic New York Gov. Cathy Hochul vowed Thursday to bring United Healthcare CEO murder suspect Luigi Mangione to New York to face newly announced terrorism charges.
Mangione remains jailed in Pennsylvania after days of manhunt, but he is already facing murder charges in the Dec. 4 shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside the Hilton Hotel in New York City. He has been indicted. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced the terrorism charges Wednesday. Bragg offered Thompson's family his “heartfelt prayers” and said “this type of premeditated, targeted gun violence is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
“Now that the Manhattan DA has indicted Brian Thompson for his murder, New York stands ready to do whatever it takes to hold the killer accountable,” Hochul wrote on Thursday. “We have heard reports that the defendant will waive his right to extradition. If he does not, we are prepared to seek a gubernatorial warrant as soon as possible to ensure that he is detained and tried in New York.”
Thompson, 50, was shot as he walked to a hotel where Minnesota-based United Healthcare, the nation's largest health insurance company, was holding an investor meeting.
United Healthcare CEO murder suspect Luigi Mangione indicted in New York
New York Governor Cathy Hochul responded to the indictment of Luigi Mangione. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The killing led to an outpouring of anger at U.S. health insurance companies, with stories online and elsewhere of Americans being denied coverage, left at a loss because of differing opinions between doctors and insurance companies, and left with large bills behind. I exchanged it with
The shooting has shaken executives, with “wanted” posters bearing the names and faces of other medical executives posted on New York streets, and some social media users retaliated against Mangione's actions. It was praised as such.
“Any attempt to justify this is vile, reckless and contrary to the principles of justice that we deeply believe in,” New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Tuesday.
A New York state law passed after the 9/11 attacks prohibits “the purpose of intimidation or coercion against civilians, or by intimidation or coercion to influence the policy of a government agency, or to influence the conduct of the public.” , allowing prosecutors to charge the crime as an act of terrorism. units of government by murder, assassination, and kidnapping. ”
Luigi Mangione is taken from Blair County Courthouse after an extradition hearing on December 10, 2024 in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
United Healthcare CEO murder suspect riots outside Pennsylvania courthouse
After several days of intense police search and publicity, Mangione was found and arrested at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 9th. New York Police Department officials say Mangione was in possession of the gun used to kill Thompson, a passport, and various false identification documents, including one the suspect presented when checking into a New York hostel. did.
The 26-year-old was charged with gun and forgery charges in Pennsylvania and was held without bail. Pennsylvania's attorney questioned the evidence for the forgery charge and the legal basis for the gun charge. The lawyer also said Mangione would resist extradition to New York.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in midtown Manhattan on December 4, 2024. (Businesswire | NYPD Crimestoppers)
Mangione has two court hearings scheduled for Thursday in Pennsylvania, including an extradition hearing, Bragg noted.
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Hours after his arrest, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office filed papers charging him with murder and other crimes. The indictment is based on that.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
