Mangione, 26, faces one count of first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism and two counts of second-degree murder, one of which is classified as an act of terrorism. Additionally, he is charged with multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon, a single count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and possession of a forged New Jersey driver’s license.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is expected to file paperwork for Mangione’s extradition from Pennsylvania, where he was arrested last week at a McDonald’s. A source familiar with the situation told NBC News that Mangione plans to waive extradition, allowing him to be transported to New York within days.
Mangione, a double graduate of the University of Pennsylvania from a prominent Baltimore-area family, could face a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole if convicted. He is accused of fatally shooting Thompson with a 9 mm handgun equipped with a silencer on December 4 outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan. Thompson, 50, was heading into the hotel for an investor day event for his company’s parent.
“This was a killing to evoke terror,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said at a news conference announcing the 11-count indictment. “This was not an ordinary killing … this was extraordinary.” Bragg described the slaying as “brazen” and “targeted.”
According to Bragg, Mangione arrived in New York City on a bus at the Port Authority terminal on November 24 with the intent of murdering Thompson. He spent the following days staying at a hostel on the Upper West Side under the name “Mark Rosario” with a fake ID. On December 4, Mangione left the hostel around 5:30 a.m. and traveled to midtown, where he waited for Thompson outside the Hilton for about six minutes before crossing the street, pulling out a handgun, and firing, hitting Thompson once in the back and once in the leg. Mangione then fled on an e-bike and later took a taxi to Washington Heights in upper Manhattan.
Bragg also mentioned that Mangione is expected to waive his right to an extradition hearing on Thursday in Pennsylvania, consenting to be sent to New York to face the murder charges.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned the celebration of Thompson’s killing, noting that Mangione has become a folk hero to some due to criticism of UnitedHealthcare’s high rate of denied benefit claims. “Social media has erupted with praise for this cowardly attack,” Tisch said. “These are the threats of a lawless, violent mob who would trade in their own vigilantism for the rule of law that protects us all.”
Tisch emphasized, “There is no heroism in what Mangione did. This was a senseless act of violence. It was a cold and calculated crime that stole a life and put New Yorkers at risk. We don’t celebrate murders, and we don’t lionize the killing of anyone.”
In a statement to CNBC, UnitedHealth Group said, “This is an important step forward for seeking justice in the murder of our colleague, Brian Thompson. We will work with law enforcement authorities to help bring closure for Brian’s family, friends, and colleagues.”
Mangione was arrested on December 9 at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after police responded to a call about a suspicious person. He allegedly provided officers with a fake New Jersey ID, believed to be the same one used to check into the Manhattan hostel in late November. Police found a gun, a silencer, and 9 mm ammunition in his backpack. The gun matched three shell casings found at the Manhattan shooting scene, and Mangione’s fingerprints matched those found on a water bottle and snack bar left near the scene.
The shell casings had the words “deny” and “depose” written on them, while an unfired bullet had “delay” written on it, matching terms used to describe tactics of health insurers to deny claims. Prosecutors in Manhattan filed a criminal complaint against Mangione hours after his arrest, charging him with second-degree murder, criminal possession of a loaded firearm, possession of a silencer, and possession of a forged instrument. The grand jury indictment handed up Tuesday supersedes that complaint.
Mangione, held in a Pennsylvania prison without bail on gun and forgery charges, is due to appear Thursday morning in Blair County Court for two separate hearings: a preliminary hearing on state criminal charges and an extradition hearing. Mangione was visited in prison by his New York criminal defense lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, and her husband and law partner, Marc Agnifilo.
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