The individual accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson is contesting extradition to New York as fresh insights into the potential motive are revealed.

Luigi Mangione, 26, through his lawyer Thomas Dickey, expressed intentions to challenge his extradition during a court session on Tuesday in Blair County, Pennsylvania. The judge denied him bail, but Mangione can appeal this decision within two weeks.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s office confirmed to YSL News that they will pursue a governor’s warrant to extradite Mangione, with Dickey emphasizing that Mangione will fight this action.

“We will uphold the legal rights and protections available to my client,” Dickey stated to the press, noting Mangione’s plans to plead not guilty to the charges.

Arriving at the courthouse in handcuffs and wearing an orange jumpsuit, Mangione shouted a remark that included “completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people” as he was escorted away by law enforcement.

A New York City arrest warrant disclosed that Mangione faces a range of serious charges including second-degree murder, multiple counts of second-degree weapon possession, possession of a forged identification, and third-degree weapon possession.

This Ivy League graduate, who comes from a wealthy background, was arrested on Monday after being recognized by a customer at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement searched him and discovered a counterfeit New Jersey driver’s license and a “semi-automatic pistol” equipped with a silencer, both fashioned using a 3D printer, along with “written confessions regarding the crime,” according to the arrest warrant.

During a press conference on Monday, officials stated that three handwritten pages found in Mangione’s possession suggested a potential motive for the shooting. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny mentioned that these writings demonstrated “ill will toward corporate America,” although specific details were not disclosed.

Mangione’s arrest concluded a lengthy search for the assailant who fatally shot Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two, outside a Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan as he was arriving for an investor conference.

While many expressed their condolences and support for Thompson’s family and the rapid capture of his murderer, others on social media celebrated the fall of a powerful figure in an industry often accused of denying necessary healthcare coverage.

“In America, we do not resolve policy disagreements or express viewpoints through cold-blooded killings,” stated Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro during a news conference on Monday evening.

Police Report: Shooter Allegedly Planned Attack as ‘Symbolic Takedown’

An internal report from the NYPD has suggested that the shooter viewed himself as a martyr against “corporate greed,” according to reports from various news outlets including The New York Times and CNN.

“He seemed to believe that killing the highest-ranking representative of the company was a symbolic act against its alleged corruption and ‘power games,’ declaring in his notes that he was the ‘first to confront it with such brutal honesty,’” read the report according to multiple sources.

YSL News has reached out to the NYPD for clarification on the intelligence report but has not received a response yet.

The report reportedly elaborates on the contents of the three pages of handwritten notes that were found during Mangione’s arrest at the McDonald’s in Altoona on Monday.

White House Condemns Violence Against ‘Corporate Greed’

The White House condemned the violence directed at “corporate greed” following Mangione’s arrest, extending condolences to the Thompson family and those affected by the incident.

“We firmly condemn violence in any form,” stated White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre during a press briefing. “Resorting to violence to address corporate greed is completely unacceptable.”

Some users on social media have praised Mangione’s alleged actions as a protest against a healthcare industry they accuse of being corrupt due to its denial of coverage to those in need.

Jean-Pierre expressed gratitude to law enforcement for capturing the suspect: “We stand ready to provide any further assistance, if required,” but refrained from discussing the ongoing legal proceedings.

— Joey Garrison

Images Show Suspect at McDonald’s

The Pennsylvania State Police released surveillance footage on Tuesday showing the suspect at the McDonald’s in Altoona where he was apprehended on Monday.

In the early hours, photos have emerged of the suspect wearing a brown beanie, a dark hoodie, and a medical mask. One of these images shows him eating a hash brown, while another depicts Mangione in a holding cell.

Officials reported that a customer at the McDonald’s recognized Mangione and informed an employee, who then contacted the local police. Investigators are currently working to trace Mangione’s recent activities.

“Law enforcement is actively seeking assistance from the public to gather information regarding Luigi Mangione’s movements and recent locations in Pennsylvania,” stated state police in a post shared on the X platform along with the new surveillance images. “We encourage anyone with details to call 1-800-4PA-TIPS or submit a tip online.”

Friends remember Mangione as ‘thoughtful’

Mangione’s friends from his time in Hawaii were shocked and heartbroken upon hearing that the engaging and compassionate young man they knew is now facing serious murder charges, according to reports from the Honolulu Civil Beat, a nonprofit news outlet.

Jackie Wexler, who attended college with Mangione and became friends with him at the Surfbreak co-living space in Honolulu during the first half of 2022, expressed, “He was an incredibly thoughtful and caring individual in everything he did,” as reported by Civil Beat.

According to R.J. Martin, the founder of Surfbreak, Mangione played a key role in organizing a book club and even joined him for rock climbing, despite experiencing chronic back pain due to a misaligned vertebra.

Friends noted that Mangione’s ongoing pain made it difficult for him to maintain his active lifestyle. His profile on X features a background image of an X-ray, showcasing what appear to be screws and plates in his lower back.

Martin shared that Mangione kept in touch after moving away and even shared an update including photos post-surgery. However, he mentioned that Mangione seemingly lost contact around the summer months. “He went quiet around June or July,” Martin said.

According to an employee at TrueCar, Mangione worked as a data engineer for the car-buying service from 2022 until late 2023. During mid-2023, he took roughly two months off due to back-related complications, as noted by a manager.

The employee, who requested to remain anonymous, described Mangione as “exceptionally intelligent” and exceptionally friendly with teammates. He mentioned that the company provided health insurance options, including choices from UnitedHealth and Aetna.

Merchandise raises controversy, claims of glorifying violence

Various merchandise items, including T-shirts, hoodies, coffee mugs, and shot glasses, related to the suspected shooter in the fatal incident involving a UnitedHealthcare executive in Manhattan, are appearing online.

Online vendors, aiming to benefit from the sentiments some share for Mangione, have faced backlash. While many online marketplaces ban items that glorify violence, this rule isn’t uniformly applied to all merchandise associated with Mangione.

Amazon notified YSL News that it has removed products using the controversial phrase due to violations of company policy. Currently, searches only lead to links for the 2010 book “Delay, Defend, Deny: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.”

As for Etsy, which has listings for an ornament featuring the phrase “Deny, Defend, Depose,” the platform has not replied to a request for comment.

— Jessica Guynn

Police on alert for copycat attacks on executives

Various law enforcement agencies across the country are on heightened alert following the killing of the Thompson in New York City, as there are concerns about potential threats or incitements aimed at corporate executives and their families.

A bulletin issued in Colorado warned law enforcement that the Thompson case might serve as “messaging and propaganda” encouraging others to target similar health care companies, as reported by WLS-TV. It urged companies to reassess their security protocols to protect their executives.

In Chicago on Monday, a bridge overlooking the city’s famous DuSable Lake Shore Drive displayed a sign saying, “Deny Defend Depose.” These were the words inscribed on bullet casings found at the scene where Thompson was shot, according to authorities.

Additionally, Chicago police have initiated an inquiry after someone vandalized several North Side businesses with the phrase “Kill your CEO” over the weekend, local news outlets reported.

− Medora Lee

Why Mangione is charged with second-degree murder

What distinguishes first-degree from second-degree murder in New York?

According to New York state law, second-degree murder is characterized as intentional murder, as explained by Anna G. Cominsky, a professor at New York Law School and the head of its criminal defense clinic. “First-degree murder entails intentional murder accompanied by a specific circumstance,” Cominsky clarified.

For instance, a person may face first-degree murder charges if they are believed to have deliberately caused the death of certain individuals, such as law enforcement officers, first responders, witnesses to crimes to stop them from testifying, or individuals killed during associated criminal activities like robbery or sexual offenses.

“Both are classified as A-1 felonies,” said Cominsky. “Each comes with the potential for a life sentence.”

According to Cominsky, New York does not impose the death penalty, so life imprisonment remains the hardest punishment possible. While it’s theoretically possible for Mangione to face federal charges, she indicated that this scenario is improbable since the New York County District Attorney’s office is overseeing the case.

− Dinah Voyles Pulver

Witness at McDonald’s: ‘I just can’t believe it’s him’

A man who recognized Mangione at an Altoona McDonald’s thought it was a prank when his friend remarked, “Doesn’t that look like the shooter from New York?”

Larry, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed his disbelief to various news outlets outside the restaurant on Tuesday after learning that the man was indeed the suspect authorities had been searching for. “It’s unbelievable,” Larry stated, as reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I just can’t believe it.”

A regular customer at that McDonald’s, Larry mentioned that he saw Mangione ordering food and sitting in the restaurant’s back area without directly interacting with him. He left for church but returned upon hearing of the arrest.

“We were joking around about it initially,” he recounted. “But then, it turned out to be true.”

Suspect denies several accusations during first court hearing

Mangione did not submit a plea during his court appearance in Pennsylvania on Monday evening, but he disputed several allegations made by prosecutors.

Prosecutors claimed that Mangione was found in possession of several thousand dollars, some of which was in foreign currency, according to reports from CNN and The Associated Press. The accused contestant disagreed with the alleged sum and suggested that it might have been planted, as reported by CNN and Fox News.com.

Mangione also claimed he was unfamiliar with sophisticated criminal methods, especially regarding the use of a Faraday bag, which prevents electronic devices from receiving electromagnetic signals, according to CNN.

Background of Luigi Mangione

Mangione was the valedictorian of the 2016 graduating class at Gilman School, an esteemed private institution in Baltimore known for its high tuition fees, which can reach around $40,000 per year. He earned a combined master’s and bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020 and spent a summer at Stanford University participating in a pre-collegiate program.

He hails from a prominent family in Baltimore. His late grandfather, Nicholas Mangione Sr., was involved in real estate and owned several country clubs, nursing homes, and even a radio station, according to the Baltimore Banner.

His late grandmother was known for her philanthropy, serving as a trustee for the Baltimore Opera Company, participating in a county tourism board, and working with organizations such as American Citizens for Italian Matters, based on information from an obituary released by Loyola University, where her husband held a trustee position.

The family issued a statement through Nino Mangione, a Maryland state delegate and cousin of the accused.

“We are only aware of what we’ve gathered from the news,” the statement indicated. “Our family is shocked and heartbroken by Luigi’s arrest. We extend our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and request that everyone keep all parties in their thoughts.”

Alleged shooter praised Unabomber’s manifesto in writing?

A review of Mangione’s social media reveals that he led a seemingly privileged life as a member of a prominent Sicilian-American family. His posts showed him happily surrounded by his fraternity brothers from Phi Kappa Psi at the University of Pennsylvania and enjoying time at popular locations in Mexico and Puerto Rico.

However, there were hints of more troubling interests.

In a review dated February 2 of the Unabomber manifesto, a person believed to be Mangione expressed admiration for Ted Kaczynski’s essay. Kaczynski, a math genius, is responsible for three deaths and nearly two dozen injuries caused by bombs he mailed and planted.

“It’s easy to dismiss this as the erratic ranting of a madman to evade confronting the uncomfortable issues it raises,” wrote the person in an online review attributed to Mangione. “He was a violent individual ‒ justly imprisoned ‒ who harmed innocent lives. While his actions are often dismissed as the work of a crazy Luddite, they more accurately represent those of an extreme political revolutionary.”