A customer who identified the shooting suspect connected to the recent murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania is being commended for their role in leading to the arrest of Luigi Mangione.

“I want to start by expressing gratitude to our fellow resident from Pennsylvania who acted heroically today,” stated Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro during a press conference held in Blair County with several other officials, including Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks and Altoona Police Deputy Chief Derek Swope.

“A resident witnessed something this morning at McDonald’s and alerted our local police,” Shapiro shared with reporters.

For the past six days, local, state, and federal law enforcement had been on the lookout for the individual who opened fire on a New York City sidewalk on December 4, resulting in Thompson’s death.

The search came to an end on Monday when 26-year-old Mangione was found dining at a McDonald’s in Altoona, approximately 100 miles east of Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania State Police reported that a diner recognized the suspect and promptly notified a McDonald’s staff member.

Following Mangione’s capture, which took place on Monday, he was formally charged in Pennsylvania with offenses such as forgery, carrying a firearm without a permit, possessing weapons for unlawful purposes, and providing false ID to authorities, according to Blair County legal documents.

Authorities announced that Mangione remained incarcerated without bail in Pennsylvania on Tuesday but will likely be extradited to New York City to answer to a murder charge filed by Manhattan prosecutors earlier that day.

As of now, the identities of both the customer who recognized Mangione and the employee who alerted the authorities have not been disclosed.

Before Mangione was located, a reward of $60,000 was offered for information that would lead to his apprehension and prosecution.

‘He acted promptly, intelligently, and with composure’

Shapiro encouraged community members to show “the same kind of vigilance and bravery” as the McDonald’s customer who informed staff about what they witnessed, urging anyone with relevant details or tips regarding the suspect or the incident to come forward.

He also expressed thanks to law enforcement for their rapid response in apprehending the suspect, particularly praising Altoona police Officer Tyler Frye, who made the arrest at the fast-food establishment.

“He acted promptly, intelligently, and with composure,” Shapiro remarked about the rookie officer, who has only been in the force for six months.

What transpired inside the McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania?

During a press briefing on Monday evening, law enforcement provided insights into the events that unfolded inside the McDonald’s in Altoona earlier that day.

At approximately 9:14 a.m. on Monday, police received a report about a suspicious male dining at the restaurant. Authorities noted that this individual fit the description of the suspect sought in connection with Thompson’s murder.

Once in the restaurant, officers approached the man who was wearing a face mask, asking him to take it off, and they quickly identified him as the wanted individual.

Officials stated that the suspect began to tremble when police questioned him about being in New York recently.

“That prompted a noticeable physical reaction from the suspect,” Swope from the Altoona Police Department explained. “He didn’t respond to it directly. That response communicated a lot.”

The suspect was asked for his ID and handed over a counterfeit New Jersey ID card, as per official reports. Mangione was subsequently charged with forgery.

“The arrest went smoothly,” Swope noted.

Officers then secured the suspect, took him to the Altoona Police Department, where they discovered a U.S. passport identifying him as Luigi Mangione during a search.

During their search, officers also discovered a firearm, a suppressor, written documents, electronic devices, and various other items pertinent to the investigation that authorities will examine in the coming days.

On Tuesday, troopers shared images of Mangione that seem to show him eating. In the photos, he is seen wearing a tan hat and a black coat, with a blue and white medical mask around his neck.

Mayor Eric Adams praises the officer involved in the arrest

New York City Mayor Eric Adams spoke with the officer who apprehended Mangione, according to a video shared on his X account, commending him for his quick response.

“You removed a dangerous individual from the streets, and we truly appreciate it,” Adams, a former NYPD officer, told Frye during a FaceTime call.

“I wasn’t expecting that when I woke up this morning,” Frye replied to Adams. “I’m very glad to have taken someone like that off the streets.”