Ending the year isn’t complete without some juicy drama involving crime

Luigi Mangione is a twenty-six year old suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHeathcare CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month—appeared in New York court Monday morning and pleaded not guilty of the eleven charges related to the shooting, including first degree murder in furtherance of terrorism.

THE UNITEDHEALTH CEO’S ASSASINATION

Brian Thompson was the CEO of the health insurance division of the $550 billion in the UnitedHealth Group and was in New York city for an investor’s meeting. He was shot from behind just before 7 a.m. on December 4 outside of the New York Hilton Midtown—where the meeting was being held—and was hit in the back and right calf, after the suspect fled the area on foot and on an electric bike. Thompson, a Minnesota resident, served as the chief executive since April 2021 and had been with UnitedHealth group since 2004. A video of the suspect showed the suspect walking out behind Thompson—who did not have any security detail—before firing multiple times. 

Prior to Mangione’s arrest, the police believed that the shooting was “a brazen attack” and searched New York city before saying that the suspect had left the city in a bus. Paulette Thompson, Thompson’s wife, told NBC News that there had been some threats but didn’t provide any details on what the threats were. Police have released several photos of the suspected shooter on Wednesday, after searching for the gunmen by utilizing diving teams in Central Park, flying helicopters, searching through security cameras in the area, maintaining drones and using dogs. 

WHO IS THIS “TOO HOT FOR PRISON” CRIMINAL?

The final known residence of Maryland native, Luigi Mangione, was Honolulu, Hawaii. Mangione appears to have attended the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer and information sciences after attending Gilman School for high school. She has no prior criminal history in New York or anywhere else in the nation. A LinkedIn page purporting to be Mangione’s details his internships at Firaxis Games and the John Hopkins Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics before he started working as an engineer at TrueCar, a California-based online vehicle marketplace where he spent several years. 

CATCHING AMERICA’S MOST WANTED MAN OF 2024

Mangione was recognized in a McDonald’s in Altoona and was reported to the local police, who then found he had “multiple fraudulent IDs,” a US passport, a firearm, and a suppressor similar to what was used in a murder and document that speaks both his motivation and mindset. He was quiet and shaking during the interrogation after being asked if he was in New York recently. Mangione got arrested in a hotel that was a 17 minute walk from the McDonald’s in Altoona after trying to get a room even though the hotel didn’t have any clean rooms. A hotel clerk told ABC News described him as cagey, just looking around, and making sure he wasn’t being watched as he was turned away.

FEDERAL CASES & CHARGES OF LUIGI

Prosecutors have unsealed charges–including stalking, murder, and using a silencer in a crime of violence against Mangione on December 19. Mangione faces four several counts: murder through the use of a firearm, two stalking charges, and a firearms offense. The charges were brought by the US Attorney Office for the Southern District of New York and it could be a way for prosecutors to seek the death penalty, which is not an option with the  state charges around him. 

He is facing seven accusations connected to the carrying of firearms, one count of first degree murder in support of an act of terrorism, two counts of second degree murder (due to alleged terrorism and intentionality), and one count of possessing a forged instrument because of an alleged fraudulent ID in New York. Additionally, Mangione was first charged in Pennsylvania with forgery, illegal firearms possession, tampering with identification or documents, possession of criminal tools, and giving false identification to police authorities. He was ordered to be in arraignment on December 9 without bail and had been placed in a single cell with maximum custody level.

WHERE IS LUIGI NOW?

Mangione was reportedly taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, which is the only federal prison in New York city. It is also where Sean Diddy Combs is being held while he awaits trial in his federal sex trafficking case and disgraced mogul Sam Bankman-Fried is serving his 25 year sentence. MDC houses more than 1,300 inmates and is notorious for poor conditions and violence; multiple inmates have died because of injuries due to fighting in the facility.

NETIZENS: “HE MUST BE PLAYED BY DAVE FRANCO”

As soon as the CCTV images of Luigi Mangione were shared online, his striking facial features immediately caught the attention of thirsty netizens. Fans quickly began commenting that he was “too hot for prison” and expressed hopes that the police wouldn’t catch him—though they were mistaken.

Despite Luigi’s actions, the online buzz about his “handsomeness” only intensified. Many suggested that Dave Franco should play him in a potential series or movie about the assassination, citing their similar looks: thick brows, a mischievous smile, a fit physique, and a youthful appearance.

Adding to the intrigue, photos circulated online that compared his protection to the scene in Avengers where Loki is arrested. While fiction is far removed from reality, this prompted debates about why one man warranted so many guards. Some argued that the authorities were not afraid of Luigi escaping; rather, they were concerned about what he represented. The successful assassination of the CEO and Luigi’s failure to evade capture could lead to potential vigilante actions. This could result in either Luigi being targeted or the public, who supports his cause, rising up against the authorities.

So, where do you side on, Sugboanons? Share your thoughts below!