Family Of Luigi Mangione Releases Statement Following Arrest
12/09/2024 10:49 PM
Luigi Mangione, the suspected killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was arraigned in court in Pennsylvania Monday night.
Mangione, 26, was picked up by police at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania on Monday. A worker at the restaurant alerted authorities to the presence of a customer who resembled the police images of the man who shot and killed Thompson, 50, outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan last Wednesday morning. Police allegedly discovered Mangione in possession of a firearm and suppressor "consistent with the weapon used in the murder," as well as a manifesto and multiple fake IDs.
As of tonight, Mangione has not been charged with any crimes related to Thompson's murder, but is facing five charges pertaining to his arrest, including forgery, carrying a firearm without a license, possessing instruments of crime, tampering with records or identification and providing false identification to law enforcement. The first two charges are felonies.
This evening, Mangione's cousin Nino, a Maryland state delegate, released a statement on behalf of the family.
"Unfortunately, we can't comment on news reports regarding Luigi Mangione," the statement reads. "We only know what we have read in the media. Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi's arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved."
According to the Associated Press, Manhattan prosecutors have filed a murder charge against Mangione as of late Monday night.
Andy Newman of the New York Times said Monday that Mangione's 262-word manifesto appears to begin with the Maryland native taking responsibility for the brazen crime.
"To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn't working with anyone," Mangione allegedly wrote, adding his disdain for companies that "continue to abuse our country for immense profit because the American public has allowed them to get away with it."
We will continue to update you on this story as more information becomes available.
Related: Charges Announced For Suspected United Healthcare CEO Killer Luigi Mangione