Suspect, 26, in UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting Identified & Detained — Arrest Details

As reported by NBC News, authorities apprehended Mangione on Monday, December 11, at a McDonald’s after a patron recognized him from widely circulated photos during a multi-state manhunt.

According to the New York Times, Mangione comes from a prominent and influential family in the Baltimore metropolitan area with deep roots in the real estate and business sectors.

His grandparents, Nick Mangione Sr. and Mary C. Mangione, purchased and developed the Turf Valley Country Club in Ellicott City in the 1970s.

The family later acquired Hayfields Country Club in Hunt Valley, Maryland, founded Lorien Health Services, a chain of nursing homes, and owns WCBM-AM, a politically conservative radio station.

Mangione’s cousin, Nino Mangione, is a Republican state delegate and WCBM host.

Aaron Cranston, a former classmate of Mangione at the Gilman School in Baltimore, described him as a smart and ambitious student.

Cranston expressed disbelief at the allegations against him, noting that his background seemed inconsistent with such a crime.

Cranston also revealed that earlier this year, Mangione’s family had circulated a message seeking information on his whereabouts, stating they had not heard from him for several months after back surgery.

Shortly after his arrest, Mangione was arraigned in Pennsylvania on two felony charges: carrying a firearm without a license and forgery.

He also faced three misdemeanor charges: tampering with records, possessing instruments of crime, and providing false identification to law enforcement.

He was denied bail and has not entered a plea.

Additional charges related to Thompson’s death are expected to be filed in New York soon, officials said.

Officers immediately identified Mangione as the person of interest after asking him to remove his mask.

According to the police complaint, when questioned about whether he had recently been to New York, “the male became quiet and started to shake.”

Law enforcement reported that Mangione was in possession of a homemade firearm, or a “ghost gun,” along with multiple fake IDs and a handwritten document that allegedly provides insight into his motives.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny noted that the firearm, potentially made with a 3D printer, included a suppressor and had the capability of firing 9mm rounds.

Investigators also linked Mangione to the crime through a fraudulent ID found at a New York hostel, which matched the alias used by the suspected gunman.

Clothing recovered during the arrest matched descriptions of what the shooter wore.

Mangione had no prior criminal record, but investigators are reviewing his online activity, which includes references to domestic terrorist Ted Kaczynski, known for his anti-establishment beliefs.

It remains unclear whether Thompson’s name appears in the handwritten document recovered from Mangione.

“We don’t think that there’s any specific threats to other people mentioned in that document…But it does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America,” Kenny said.

Police emphasized the role of public assistance in the arrest.

“We’ve recovered an enormous amount of forensic evidence, an enormous amount of video, and once again, with your help, the public’s help,” Kenny remarked.

Mangione’s arrest comes nearly a week after Thompson was fatally shot on the morning of December 4 outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch reportedly said the 50-year-old executive was walking to UnitedHealthcare’s investor conference when an unknown assailant approached from behind and fired multiple rounds, striking him in the back and calf.

Thompson was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai West Hospital.

As reported by NBC, police described it as a “premeditated, preplanned targeted attack.”

Surveillance footage, shared by NBC, showed the gunman waiting several minutes before shooting Thompson, who wore a blue suit.

The attacker followed him as he fell and continued firing.

Police said the gun used by the assailant appeared to have jammed but was cleared before the shooter resumed firing.

At the crime scene, Kenny said officers found three live 9 mm rounds, three shell casings, and a cell phone.

Investigators believed the gunman used a firearm with a silencer.

The suspect fled on foot, switched to a rental bike, and was last seen entering Central Park.

Police described the suspect as wearing a black hoodie and pants and carrying a gray backpack.

Police also believed that Thompson was deliberately targeted, though the motive remains unclear.

Adding to the uncertainty, Thompson’s wife, Paulette, recalled that her husband had received threats.

“Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him,” she said.

The family mourned Thompson’s loss, describing him as an “incredibly loving, generous, and talented man,” and requested privacy during that difficult time.

In the wake of the tragedy, UnitedHealth Group released a statement expressing shock and sadness over Thompson’s death, describing him as a respected colleague and friend.

The company pledged full cooperation with the NYPD’s investigation and extended heartfelt condolences to Thompson’s family and loved ones.

Before his tragic death, Thompson’s professional achievements and leadership highlighted his significant impact on the healthcare industry.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Thompson joined the UnitedHealth Group in 2004 and was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021, overseeing nearly 140,000 employees worldwide.

Prior to becoming CEO, Thompson led UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare & Retirement division, the largest U.S. business focused on senior health, as well as the Community & State division, which provides healthcare services to underserved populations.

He later held several senior roles, including Chief Financial Officer for multiple divisions, showcasing his versatility and leadership within the organization.

Before joining UnitedHealth Group, Thompson spent nearly seven years at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) in various roles.

As Manager of Transaction Advisory Services from 2002 to 2004, he conducted due diligence for corporate, venture capital, and private equity clients in mergers and acquisitions across industries like insurance, automotive, telecommunications, and manufacturing, handling both domestic and international deals.

Earlier at PwC, Thompson worked as an Audit Manager from 1997 to 2002, overseeing audits for large international companies and handling SEC filings, debt offerings, and regulatory audits.

Thompson’s academic excellence also stood out.

A graduate of the University of Iowa, he earned valedictorian honors in 1997, receiving the Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key for achieving the highest GPA.

He was also recognized as a scholar for Carver, State of Iowa, and Faculty, among other accolades.

The loss of such a prominent and accomplished figure continues to leave the corporate community in shock.

As the corporate and healthcare sectors mourned Thompson’s death, some individuals online expressed troubling anti-corporate sentiment.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro condemned the responses, emphasizing that violence is never an acceptable way to address grievances or express political views.

A UnitedHealthcare representative later expressed hope that the suspect’s arrest would bring some relief to Thompson’s family, friends, and colleagues.

They also praised law enforcement’s efforts and affirmed the company’s support for the ongoing investigation to uncover more evidence and determine a motive.

Authorities noted that Mangione was initially cooperative but has since stopped assisting the investigation.

He remains in custody as the case progresses.