CEO shooting suspect Luigi Mangione faces federal charges in court
TL/DR –
The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4 led to a manhunt that resulted in the arrest of 26-year-old Luigi Mangione. Mangione now faces several state and federal charges, including murder as an act of terrorism and stalking, with the potential for a death sentence if convicted. In the aftermath, various claims have circulated online, many of which have been debunked by USA Today, including misinformation about a supposed manifesto, eligibility for presidential pardon, and a fake UnitedHealthcare job listing for a new CEO.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Suspect Luigi Mangione Faces Federal Charges
The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson sparked national debate on healthcare costs, with responses ranging from lawmakers outcry to public support for the accused shooter. The relentless search for the shooter led to the arrest of Luigi Mangione, 26 in a Pennsylvania McDonald’s.
Mangione initially faced state-level charges in New York and Pennsylvania, including murder as an act of terrorism. He was later charged with federal crimes, potentially leading to a death penalty if found guilty. Thomas Dickey, Mangione’s attorney, announced his client’s intention to plead not guilty.
Misinformation Around Thompson’s Murder Fact-Checked
Scores of misinformation have circulated since Thompson’s demise. Below is a round-up of fact-checks by the USA TODAY Fact Check Team:
Claim: Images show Luigi Mangione’s manifesto
Rating: Altered. The images are not Mangione’s manifesto. NYPD has not released it, and the details do not align with the police’s information. The actual manifesto was shorter and handwritten. Full fact check here.
Claim: Biden can pardon Luigi Mangione
Rating: False. Presidents can only pardon federal crimes. Mangione, charged only with state-level crimes, is not eligible for a presidential pardon. Full fact check here.
Claim: Video shows UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson talking about Nancy Pelosi
Rating: False. The video features a different man sharing the CEO’s name. Full fact check here.
Claim: Image shows New York Times headline calling ‘glorification’ of Luigi Mangione ‘anti-Israeli’
Rating: Altered. The image was digitally edited. The New York Times never published the headline. Full fact check here.
Claim: Image shows UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect’s fake ID
Rating: Satire. The image, edited to add Mangione’s face, is a “Superbad” movie prop replica. Full fact check here.
Claim: Slain UnitedHealthcare CEO was scheduled to testify against Nancy Pelosi for insider trading
Rating: False. There is no evidence of an insider trading investigation involving Pelosi or that Thompson was scheduled to testify against her. Full fact check here.
Claim: Video shows people celebrating in New York after UnitedHealthcare CEO was killed
Rating: False. The video, shared two weeks before Thompson’s death, shows people celebrating post-concert. Full fact check here.
Claim: Image shows Elon Musk post about UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect
Rating: False. The image of the post is a fabrication. Musk’s account has no record of it. Full fact check here.
Claim: Image shows UnitedHealthcare job listing for new CEO
Rating: Altered. The image is fabricated. UnitedHealthcare’s LinkedIn page or website has no such job posting, confirmed by a company spokesperson. The listed salary range is also way below the usual CEO compensation. Full fact check here.
Claim: Image shows Musk post saying world can’t function without CEOs
Rating: Altered. There is no evidence of such a post on Musk’s account. Since Thompson’s death, Musk hasn’t posted anything directly mentioning Thompson or UnitedHealthcare. Full fact check here.
Claim: UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter identified as ‘Samuel H. Ide’
Rating: False. No credible news or police reports identify the shooter as “Samuel H. Ide.” The photo in the post is comedian Sam Hyde, falsely linked to high-profile attacks for years. Full fact check here.
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