(NewsNation) — After a search that spanned multiple states, Luigi Mangione, 26, was named as the suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Thompson, 50, was killed near a Hilton Hotel while walking to UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor meeting in New York City last Wednesday.
An official motive has not yet been revealed for the shooting, but the words “deny,” “depose” and “defend” were written on the shell casings found at the scene, police sources told NewsNation local affiliate WPIX. These words are similar to the title of the book “Delay, Deny, Defend,” which is about the ways insurance companies reject requests for medical coverage deemed necessary by doctors. UnitedHealthcare has the highest claim denial rate among insurance companies. It rejects 32% of all claims compared to the industry average of 16%.
United Healthcare was being investigated by the Department of Justice over allegedly running a monopoly and unfairly blocking out competitors. In addition, Thompson, as well as other executives at United Healthcare, were being sued over allegations they sold shares of stock in the company before the probe by the DOJ was announced.
Thompson, 50, was a father of two. After becoming CEO of UnitedHealthcare in 2021, he helped the company bring in $281 billion in profits in 2023. Between his salary and other benefits, Thompson made an estimated $10 million last year.
This undated photo provided by UnitedHealth Group shows UnitedHealthcare chief executive officer Brian Thompson. (AP Photo/UnitedHealth Group via AP)
Here are the events surrounding Mangione’s arrest on Monday:
Suspected UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter arrives in NYC
November 24: On this date, the suspected shooter arrived in New York City on a Greyhound bus at the Port Authority terminal. Police said the bus originated in Atlanta, Georgia.
The suspect took a taxi to a New York hostel and checked in using an ID that authorities believe was fake. Surveillance video shows the man, at one point, pulling down his facemask and smiling while talking to an employee in the hostel lobby.
UnitedHealthcare shooting suspect checks out of hostel
November 29: The suspect checked out of the hostel — but police believe this was an administrative check-out as he did not show up at the required time. He checked back into the same hostel the next day. Police say he did not stay somewhere else during this time.
The New York Police Department released photos of a person of interest wanted for questioning in connection to the fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (NYPD)
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson shot
December 4: The suspect left the hostel before dawn and then was seen on video around the area of the Hilton. At some point, he went to a Starbucks, and then returned to the hotel.
Just before 7 a.m., Thompson was shot in the back and leg by the gunman. Thompson was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Doctor calls out claim denials amid UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the shooter was “lying in wait,” and arrived at the Hilton five minutes before Thompson. Many people passed him, but the gunman appeared to wait for his intended target,” Tisch told reporters at a press conference.
During the press conference, police shared surveillance photos of the suspect holding a gun and fleeing the scene on a bicycle.
Commuters wait for buses at the George Washington Bridge Bus Station in New York, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, where the gunman fleeing Wednesday’s shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson took a taxi to, according to surveillance video. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
UnitedHealthcare shooting suspect leaves NYC, backpack found
December 6: Investigators say the suspect entered the George Washington Bridge Bus Station, leading them to believe he had left New York City. However, they did not find a video of him leaving or getting on a bus.
A backpack that police say is the gunman’s is found in a wooded area of Central Park. It is later revealed to contain a jacket and Monopoly money.
NYPD officers in diving suits sit after searching the lake in the Central Park, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Police search for evidence in UnitedHealthcare shooting, release photos
December 7-8: Officers from the New York Police Department continued searching Central Park, and released more photos of the suspect next to and in the back seat of a taxi.
NYPD divers looked in Central Park Lake for the weapon used to kill Thompson.
This image release by Pennsylvania State Police shows a video image of Luigi Mangione, a suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pa., Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. (Pennsylvania State Police via AP)
UnitedHealthcare shooting suspect spotted in Altoona
December 9: Altoona, Pennsylvania police responded to reports of a man matching the description of the suspect at a local McDonald’s. Responding officers said the man was acting suspiciously.
Authorities then arrested Luigi Magione, 26, initially charging him with forgery, carrying firearms without a license, having “instruments of a crime,” tampering with records or information and false identification to law enforcement. Court records show a murder charge was added hours after.
Luigi Mangione classmate: ‘A lot of families are hurting’
The NYPD revealed Mangione’s name at a press conference. Mangione matched the description authorities were searching for and also had with him a mask, firearm, suppressor and fake New Jersey ID that connected him to the shooting, police said.
NewsNation local affiliate WPIX and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
