
Whether you first heard of him through Tiktok edits or on NBC News, the shooter of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare has become one of the most talked-about figures going into 2025.
Luigi Mangione — who was arrested in Pennsylvania on December 9th, five days after the attack on CEO Brian Thompson in New York City — is a 26-year-old engineer with degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. The Ivy-League graduate was also valedictorian of his all-boys high school in Baltimore, Maryland. Now, the model student is facing life in prison without parole. Though he has been charged with 20 counts including stalking, terrorism, and murder, Mangione continues to plead innocent. Furthermore, many sources have spoken out affirming his innocence. Mangione’s former roommate, R.J. Martin, was shocked to hear of Mangione’s arrest, stating that he “can make zero sense of it, [and] it’s unimaginable.” A former colleague was equally baffled: “I am flabbergasted.” In fact, the only source to say that they could envision Mangione being guilty of the crime was his own mother. She told NYPD detectives that her son is capable and likely to commit such a crime. The rest of his family were devastated on hearing of Mangione’s arrest.
With such a divided assessment of character, the evidence becomes even more vital. Luigi Mangione suffered from a severe spinal condition which limited his range of motion, and caused serious back pain. Having undergone brutal surgeries, which did not result in relief from the back pain, Mangione often expressed resentment towards the healthcare system. Police even believe that he may have been denied healthcare insurance. However, the motif becomes clouded when it is taken into consideration that Mangione has never been a client of or been associated with UnitedHealthcare. Still, officials say it was the premise of targeting the largest health insurance corporation that appealed to Mangione. Evidence supporting Mangione’s innocence ends with his friends’ statements and lack of direct affiliation with UnitedHealthcare.
The evidence against him is damning. Not only did Mangione leave fingerprints around the scene of the crime, but he was also in possession of a journal detailing the crime at the time of his arrest. He mentions deciding to use a gun rather than a bomb – his initial thought. The journal also included accounts of his dislike for the healthcare industry as a whole. Further, Mangione has been linked to numerous social media accounts that have posted comments such as: “‘violence never solved anything’ is a statement uttered by cowards and predators,” and “these parasites had it coming.” The circumstances of his arrest were also enough to solidify his guilt. He was found in possession of a fake ID, notes about his crime, and a device for isolating a phone’s signal (an attempt to limit tracking from authorities). Coupled with the camera footage of his movements leading up to the crime, the evidence is undeniably stacked against Luigi Mangione.
Yet, the argument has been made that he is receiving an unfair trial. Ever since the photos of the mysterious ceo assassin, Mangione’s case has been heavily publicized. Many even argued that his arrest was not so much an arrest as a statement by the government. Some were outraged about the press coverage. “Remember everyone, they wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't a CEO,” read a comment under NBC’s post about Luigi’s arrival in New York. Still more said “ok….how much money is being wasted on this dramatic scene? If it was anyone but a rich CEO would alleged person have [the] same security?” and “if anyone supports the government after this I’m gonna be speechless.” Americans outside the country’s top economic class, who have likely struggled with insurance and financial instability, believe that the excessive coverage and emphasis on Mangione’s case is the government’s attempt at controlling the masses.
In turn, to show that the government can still be challenged, Luigi has gained even more of a following. The phrase “Free Luigi” has been sweeping social media and protests in the past weeks. Because of this, a debate has arisen. “ I think him being charged with terrorism is odd, but I don't think people should be praising him,” says 11th grader Joia DeMar. “I think he’s being harshly treated; was it necessary to march him out with 20-something police officers surrounding him?” says another student. “He did kill someone to be fair,” argued 11th grader Joel Crump.
Whether you think he is a hero or a hitman, Luigi Mangione is a name that, for better or for worse, will not be forgotten.