Luigi Mangione charged with murder as an act of terrorism after health insurance boss shooting

After days of intense police searches and publicity, Mangione was spotted at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and was arrested

Luigi Mangione has been charged with murder as an act of terrorism over the killing of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson, prosecutors said on Tuesday.

Mangione was already charged with murder last week, but the terror allegation is new.

Under New York law, such a charge can be brought when an alleged crime is “intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policies of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion and affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping”.

Thompson, 50, was shot dead as he walked to a Manhattan hotel where UnitedHealthcare - the United States' biggest medical insurer - was holding an investor conference.

“This was a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said at a news conference on Tuesday.

Mangione was already charged with murder last week, but the terror allegation is new. Credit: Pennsylvania Department of Corrections

“It occurred in one of the most bustling parts of our city, threatened the safety of local residents and tourists alike, commuters and businesspeople just starting out on their day.”

After days of intense police searches and publicity, Mangione was spotted at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and was arrested.

New York police officials said Mangione was carrying the gun used to kill Thompson, a passport and various fake IDs, including one that the suspected gunman presented to check into a New York hostel.

The 26-year-old was charged with gun and forgery offences in Pennsylvania and was denied bail.

Brian Thompson was on the way to his company's annual investor conference when he was fatally shot outside the Hilton Midtown Hotel. Credit: UnitedHealth Group

His Pennsylvania lawyer has questioned the evidence for the forgery charge and the legal grounding for the gun charge.

Speaking to ITV News' US partner CNN, his lawyer Karen Freidman Agnifilo said Mangione will not fight his extradition to New York.

He has two court hearings scheduled for Thursday in Pennsylvania, including the extradition hearing.

Mangione’s New York lawyer has not commented on the case.

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