HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. − Luigi Mangione, who is accused of fatally shooting Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, on a crowded street in Manhattan, appeared on Thursday for a preliminary hearing and extradition proceedings just a short distance from where he was arrested following the incident.

The 26-year-old Mangione faces a charge of first-degree murder in connection with acts of terrorism, as well as two counts of second-degree murder (one of which also involves terrorism), and multiple weapons charges, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office led by Alvin Bragg.

Bragg stated, “We cannot ignore or tolerate this kind of deliberate gun violence.” He mentioned that his office is consistently working to bring Mangione to justice.

A valedictorian from prep school and an Ivy League alum, Mangione has also been charged in Pennsylvania with forgery and possession of an unlicensed firearm. The preliminary hearing regarding these charges, along with the extradition hearing, took place at the Blair County courthouse.

Bragg indicated that Mangione could waive his right to fight extradition to New York. After being apprehended in Altoona following a significant five-day search, Mangione could face a life sentence without the possibility of parole if found guilty of all charges, according to Bragg.

Prosecutors outline events leading to the shooting

Brian Thompson, aged 50, was shot while walking to a hotel for an investor meeting. The timeline presented by prosecutors indicates that Mangione arrived in New York City by bus on November 24. He checked into a hostel on the Upper West Side, using a counterfeit New Jersey ID with the name Mark Rosario.

On December 4, prosecutors claim Mangione left the hostel around 5:34 a.m. and used an e-bike to navigate to Midtown. From 5:52 a.m. to 6:45 a.m., he was observed in proximity to the Hilton Hotel, stopping to buy snacks at Starbucks and then standing against a wall directly across from the hotel, wearing a mask and hoodie, according to reports.

At 6:45 a.m., he approached the Hilton armed with a 9-millimeter ghost gun, which was 3D-printed and included a silencer. Mangione shot Thompson once in the back and once in the leg before fleeing on an e-bike and subsequently taking a taxi to a bus station, escaping New York, prosecutors stated.

Upon their arrival at the scene, law enforcement discovered two shell casings inscribed with the words “DENY” and “DEPOSE,” along with a bullet labeled “DELAY,” according to prosecutors.

On December 9, Mangione was captured at a McDonald’s in Altoona. Police discovered a 9-millimeter handgun featuring a 3D-printed receiver, two magazines, live rounds, a homemade silencer, and the forged New Jersey ID.

Post-shooting support for Mangione surfaces online

Following the shooting, items glorifying Mangione began appearing for sale online. Retailers seeking to profit from the sympathy surrounding Mangione have marketed t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, shot glasses, and more. This effort to monetize the event has received backlash.

Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania remarked that the online discourse surrounding the case has been “deeply concerning,” noting that some individuals seem to celebrate rather than denounce the act of violence. Amazon reported to YSL News that it had removed products containing this phrase due to violations of its policies.

− Jessica Guynn