On December 4, 2024, Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel in Manhattan. The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, was apprehended on December 9 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, following a multi-state manhunt. Investigators have since been meticulously retracing Mangione’s movements leading up to and following the incident to piece together the events surrounding the crime.
Arrival in New York City
Mangione arrived in New York City on November 24, 2024, via a Greyhound bus that originated in Atlanta. Surveillance footage captured him disembarking at the Port Authority Bus Terminal around 9 p.m. He then took a taxi to the vicinity of the New York Hilton Midtown and spent approximately 30 minutes walking around the area before checking into the HI New York City Hostel on Amsterdam Avenue on the Upper West Side. Mangione used a fake New Jersey driver’s license under the name “Marc Rosario” to check in and kept his mask on during most of his interactions, lowering it only briefly when asked to smile by the hostel clerk (CBS News)
Days Leading Up to the Shooting
Between November 24 and December 4, Mangione maintained a low profile. He checked out of the hostel on November 29 but returned and checked back in on November 30. During this period, he avoided conversations and kept his face covered, even while sharing a room with two other individuals.
Day of the Incident
On December 4, at approximately 5 a.m., surveillance footage captured Mangione near the Frederick Douglass Houses public housing project, carrying what appeared to be an e-bike battery. By 6:17 a.m., he was seen at a Starbucks near the Hilton hotel, where he paid in cash. At 6:39 a.m., Mangione arrived outside the Hilton and appeared to be waiting for Thompson. When Thompson approached the hotel around 6:44 a.m., Mangione stepped from behind a parked car and shot him multiple times, including in the back and leg. After the shooting, Mangione fled on foot into an alley and then rode an e-bike north toward Central Park.
Escape and Apprehension
Following the shooting, Mangione was seen riding into Central Park at Center Drive around 6:48 a.m. He exited the park at 77th Street and Central Park West, abandoned the bike at 86th Street and Columbus Avenue, and took a taxi to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station. Authorities believe he boarded a bus and left New York City. On December 9, Mangione was arrested at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. At the time of his arrest, he was in possession of a “ghost gun” with a suppressor, fake IDs, and a manifesto critical of the health insurance industry.
Investigation and Motive
Investigators discovered that shell casings at the crime scene had the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” inscribed on them, echoing phrases used in the insurance industry. Mangione’s manifesto expressed general displeasure toward corporate America, particularly the healthcare sector. His internet history revealed references to Theodore Kaczynski and an interest in psychedelic drugs, suggesting a troubled mind.
Legal Proceedings
Mangione has been charged with second-degree murder and other related offenses. He is currently being held without bail and intends to fight extradition to New York. His family has expressed shock and devastation, offering prayers for all involved.
The case has raised concerns about executive security and sparked discussions about the U.S. healthcare system, highlighting the potential risks faced by high-ranking business leaders.
