NEW YORK, NY – Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Maryland native, has been federally indicted in connection with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, which occurred outside a Manhattan hotel in early December 2024. The indictment includes charges such as murder involving a firearm, stalking, and weapons violations.

Prosecutors have announced their intention to pursue the death penalty, citing the killing as a deliberate and politically charged act. The move has drawn national attention, particularly as it aligns with a broader federal push to reintroduce capital punishment in certain cases.

Authorities say Mangione, who was arrested in Pennsylvania days after the incident, was in possession of a firearm believed to have been used in the shooting. Investigators also reportedly uncovered writings linking Mangione to anti-corporate sentiments, specifically targeting the healthcare industry.

Defense attorneys have pushed back, calling the death penalty pursuit politically driven and an overreach that could hinder a fair trial. Mangione has pleaded not guilty and remains in federal custody in Brooklyn.

The case has ignited debate across the country, with some viewing Mangione’s alleged motives as symptomatic of growing discontent with the healthcare system, while others condemn the act as a violent and unacceptable form of protest.

A federal hearing is expected in the coming weeks, where further decisions will be made regarding the charges and the possibility of a capital trial.