Killing of Brian Thompson

thumb|CCTV still of the moment the first shot is fired On December 4, 2024, Brian Robert Thompson (born July 10, 1974), the CEO of the US health insurance company UnitedHealthcare, was shot in the back and killed in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The shooting occurred early in the morning outside an entrance to the New York Hilton Midtown. Thompson was in the city to attend an annual investors' meeting for UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare. Prior to his death, he faced criticism for the company's rejection of insurance claims, and his family reported that he had received death threats in the past. The words "delay", "deny", and "depose" were inscribed on the cartridge cases used during the shooting. The suspect, initially described as a white man wearing a mask, fled the scene. On December 9, 2024, authorities arrested 26-year-old Luigi Mangione in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and charged him in a Manhattan court with Thompson's killing. Authorities say Mangione was carrying a 3D-printed pistol and a 3D-printed suppressor consistent with those used in the attack, as well as a short handwritten letter styled as a manifesto criticizing the American healthcare system, an American passport, and multiple fraudulent IDs, including one with the same name used to check into a hostel on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Authorities also said his fingerprints matched the partial smudged prints that investigators found near the New York shooting scene. Police believe that he was inspired by "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski's manifesto Industrial Society and Its Future (1995), and motivated by his own personal views on US health insurance. It is speculated a back injury he suffered may have played a part. Mangione was arraigned in Altoona on December 9, 2024. After waiving extradition in Pennsylvania, he appeared in a federal court in New York City on December 19. On December 23, he was arraigned in the New York Supreme Court and pled not guilty to New York state charges. Mangione has been indicted on eleven state charges and faces four federal charges; the charges include first-degree murder,[a] murder in furtherance of terrorism, criminal possession of a weapon, and stalking. He may face the death penalty if convicted on the federal charges. Thompson's death received widespread attention in the United States and led to polarized reactions. Several public officials expressed dismay and offered condolences to Thompson's family, while many used the event to call attention to the practices of the US health insurance industry. Opinion polls found a plurality of American adult respondents held a negative view toward the killer and the killing, with younger and left-leaning respondents more likely to support them. A larger amount of respondents are sympathetic to the killer or partially blame the healthcare industry for the incident. On social media, reactions to the killing included widespread contempt and mockery toward Thompson and UnitedHealth Group, sympathy and praise for Mangione, and broader criticism of the American healthcare system and health insurance industry – primarily regarding claim denial practices. Inquiries about protective services and security for CEOs and corporate executives surged following the killing. Facebook post from UnitedHealthcare's parent company, UnitedHealth Group Facebook post We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him. External links