Thursday 7 August 2025
The Gruesome Killing of Brian Thompson; The Incident and The Suspect
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In an unfortunate happening, Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare was fatally shot dead on December 4th, 2024. The incident occurred outside the New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan, where the company held an investor day event.
The shooting happened as Brian Thompson arrived early at the hotel to look out for the preparation of the UnitedHealthcare investors day meet. According to the images released by the police and the footage from security cameras, the shooter was a man. He was wearing a dark hooded jacket with a gray backpack and a mask covering the bottom of his face.
The shooter was already aware of which door Thompson would use and arrived at the location about 10 minutes before. When Thompson who was dressed in a blue suit walked towards the entrance, the shooter approached him from behind and shot at least three bullets with a pistol that was covered with a silencer. Upon getting shot, Thompson took a few steps and collapsed on the sidewalk.
Following a day of investigation, the police held 26-year-old Luigi Mangione as the prime suspect in the killing. Luigi is an Ivy graduate, named as a suspect in the Thompson killing and charged with murder by the New York prosecutors. The chilling murder of the CEO that too in broad daylight shocked many Americans. However, it also sparked a wave of outrage directed at the profit-driven nature of the US healthcare industry. Netizens shared mixed reactions on the internet. Some opened up about their personal experiences while others celebrated Luigi, calling him a hero.
During a press conference in Pennsylvania, Governor Josh Shapiro credited the arrest of Luigi, who was on the run since the murder. However, he also criticized the online attention and response regarding Luigis actions. Shapiro cleared that he understands the sentiments and frustrations of people with the US healthcare system. We do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or to express a viewpoint. In some dark corners, this killer is being hailed as a hero, Shapiro said. He further added, Hear me on this, he is no hero. The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 in the McDonalds this morning.
The motive behind the killing is still unknown, however, along with carrying a gun, a silencer, and other items, Luigi was found to have a handwritten, three-page manifesto condemning health insurance companies.
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