New York City’s grand jury on Tuesday indicted 26-year-old Luigi Mangione for first-degree murder and terrorism following the December 4th assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, Mangione also faces charges of second-degree murder and four counts of illegal weapon possession. The attack, which occurred in a busy area of the city, was described as a calculated act meant to shock, intimidate, and draw attention, according to District Attorney Alvin Bragg. He emphasized that the terrorism charges were justified due to the incident’s nature.
“This was a horrifying, deliberate act of violence that endangered the lives of residents, commuters, and tourists alike,” Bragg told NBC News.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch criticized public reactions framing Mangione as a hero, driven by widespread resentment toward insurance companies. Tisch called the attack a “senseless and calculated crime” and condemned any attempts to glorify the killing, labeling such responses as “reckless and offensive to the principles of justice.”
Mangione, apprehended in Pennsylvania, was found with a weapon, a fake ID, a notebook, and a manifesto condemning the U.S. healthcare sector and large corporations, particularly UnitedHealthcare. New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s office has announced plans to seek Mangione’s extradition once formal charges are filed.
Karen Friedman Agnifilo, a high-profile attorney and former Manhattan Deputy District Attorney, will represent Mangione in court but has declined to comment on the case.