Crime
Watch: UnitedHealthcare CEO killer Luigi Mangione yells at reporters while being escorted inside courthouse
“This is completely unjust and an insult to the intelligence of the American people!” (Followed by something else that couldn’t be heard clearly.)
Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the high-profile shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, caused a scene as he was escorted into the courthouse on Tuesday.
Mangione, 26, shouted at reporters who had gathered outside to cover his arraignment, displaying visible agitation.
Flanked by law enforcement officers, Mangione appeared defiant, his voice rising above the commotion as he addressed members of the press.
“This is completely unjust and an insult to the intelligence of the American people!” (Followed by something else that couldn’t be heard clearly.)
This incident unfolded as Mangione was being brought into the courthouse to face multiple charges, including first-degree murder, related to the fatal shooting of Thompson in what police have described as a “brazen, targeted attack.”
The suspect’s outburst adds another layer of tension to a case that has already drawn significant public and media attention.
Authorities have linked Mangione to the crime through a range of evidence, including a ghost gun, clothing consistent with surveillance footage, and handwritten notes suggesting ill will toward corporate America.
Mangione’s courtroom appearance marks the next phase in a case that has captivated the nation and raised questions about motive and mental state. Law enforcement and legal experts continue to scrutinize the circumstances leading up to Thompson’s death, as well as the suspect’s behavior in its aftermath.
Crime
Security guard Yahaira Melendez charged with murder after shooting inside IHOP restaurant in Center City Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, PA — A security guard has been arrested and charged with murder following a fatal shooting at a Center City IHOP over the weekend that left a 43-year-old man dead.
The incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on Saturday at the IHOP located in the 1300 block of Walnut Street, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
When officers arrived, they discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim, who police say was unhoused, was transported to Jefferson Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Investigators report that the victim had been causing a disturbance inside the restaurant prior to the shooting. As security personnel escorted him outside, he allegedly turned and spat on one of the guards.
That guard, identified as 38-year-old Yahaira Melendez, allegedly responded by drawing her firearm and shooting the victim once in the head.
Police say preliminary findings indicate the victim was not armed at the time of the incident.
Melendez, a mother of three, was taken into custody and has been charged with murder and related offenses.
In a statement Melendez’s family expressed shock and disbelief over the situation, writing in part:
“We are shocked and devastated by the tragic events that occurred at the IHOP while she was working security. We know she would never harm anyone unless she felt she had no other choice to protect herself or others.”
The shooting has left nearby workers and residents shaken.
“Escalation — where was the escalation?” asked Karr Anderson, who works next door to the restaurant. “Security guards need to know how to withhold, how to show restraint.”
Philadelphia Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether proper security protocols were followed and what led to the use of deadly force.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased pending family notification.