Authorities have apprehended a suspect in the high-profile killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson after a McDonald’s employee in Altoona, Pennsylvania, recognized the individual from a police flyer.

Luigi Nicholas Mangione, 26, was arrested around 9:15 a.m. on Monday and is currently in custody.

Arrest and Initial Charges

According to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Mangione displayed visible nervousness when questioned by Pennsylvania police about his recent travels to New York, refusing to answer and shaking uncontrollably. Following his arrest, Mangione was charged in Pennsylvania with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery, and providing false identification to law enforcement.

New York prosecutors have since filed charges against him, including first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, possession of a forged document, and third-degree criminal possession of a firearm. He is being held without bail in Pennsylvania and will face extradition to New York to address these charges.

Evidence Linking Mangione to the Crime

Authorities allege that Mangione was in possession of multiple items tying him to the targeted killing of Thompson, who was fatally shot outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel on Wednesday. Among the evidence recovered were:

• A ghost gun capable of firing nine-millimeter rounds, equipped with a suppressor, consistent with the weapon used in the murder.
• Clothing, including a mask, matching items worn by the suspect in surveillance footage.
• A fraudulent New Jersey ID reportedly used by Mangione to check into a New York City hostel prior to the shooting.
• A three-page handwritten document expressing “ill will toward corporate America,” which investigators believe provides insight into Mangione’s motives and state of mind.

Additionally, police previously discovered a backpack in Central Park believed to belong to the suspect. The bag contained a jacket and Monopoly money but no firearm.

Investigation Details

Authorities stated that Mangione, originally from Maryland, has ties to San Francisco and Honolulu. Surveillance footage showed him fleeing the scene on a bicycle, heading into Central Park, and later taking a taxi to the Port Authority bus terminal, where he is believed to have left New York City.

During the suspect’s 10-day stay in New York, he reportedly used a fake ID and paid in cash, taking significant steps to obscure his identity. Investigators revealed that the bullets used in the murder were marked with the words “delay,” “deny,” and “depose” in Sharpie—a phrase linked to legal practices in the health insurance industry.

Community and Official Responses

Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania commended the McDonald’s employee who reported Mangione’s presence, describing the act as heroic. “In some dark corners, this killer is being hailed as a hero. Let me be clear: he is no hero. The real hero is the person who called 911 this morning,” Shapiro said during a news briefing.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams praised the collaborative efforts of law enforcement, stating, “This arrest is the result of good, old-fashioned police work.” He added that Mangione “matches the description of the individual we’ve been searching for” and commended officers for their diligence.

Suspect’s Background

Mangione, identified as the cousin of Republican Baltimore County Delegate Nino Mangione, was a valedictorian at Baltimore’s prestigious Gilman School in 2016. His writings and behavior prior to the arrest have raised questions about his motivations, with investigators examining potential connections to the health insurance industry, either as a disgruntled employee or client.

Ongoing Investigation

The NYPD, in collaboration with the FBI, continues to investigate the case. Law enforcement is working to extradite Mangione to New York and encourages anyone with further information to come forward.

This shocking incident has garnered national attention, with significant rewards of $60,000 being offered for tips leading to an arrest and conviction.