Luigi Mangione has been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced on Tuesday.
Mangione faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder, one of which categorizes the act as “terrorism.”
Bragg described the killing as “a frightening, well-planned and targeted murder,” adding, “The intent was to sow terror.”
The 26-year-old is set to appear for an extradition hearing on December 19, during which a decision will be made on transferring him to New York to face the charges.
Bragg suggested Mangione may waive the hearing, stating, “We have indications the defendant may waive that hearing.” This date coincides with Mangione’s preliminary hearing on separate gun-related charges in Pennsylvania.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Bragg and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned the public reaction following the December 4 shooting.
“In the nearly two weeks since Mr. Thompson’s killing, we have seen a shocking and appalling celebration of cold-blooded murder,” Tisch remarked. “We don’t celebrate murders and we don’t lionize the killing of anyone.”
If convicted on the most severe charges, Mangione could face life imprisonment without parole.
Addressing the terrorism charge, Bragg explained, “In its most basic terms, this was a killing that was intended to evoke terror.”
Police apprehended Mangione on December 9 at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
At the time of his arrest, he was carrying a “ghost gun” – an untraceable firearm – along with a fake ID.
His attorney, Thomas Dickey, has stated there is no evidence linking the weapon to the crime.
Key evidence includes Mangione’s fingerprints, which police matched to those found at the crime scene.
Authorities also discovered a handwritten document outlining his “motivation and mindset,” along with a passport, when he was taken into custody.
Investigators say Mangione arrived in New York City on November 24 and stayed at a Manhattan hostel under a false identity. Ten days later, prosecutors allege, he carried out the attack against Thompson.
During the investigation, police flagged a missing person report filed by Mangione’s mother in San Francisco.
According to Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, when contacted, his mother did not immediately identify her son as the suspect but admitted, “It might be something that she could see him doing.”
Mangione remains in maximum security at Huntingdon State Correctional Institution in Pennsylvania, where he is being held without bail.
In addition to the New York charges, he faces multiple charges in Pennsylvania, including forgery, possession of a firearm without a license, and providing false identification to authorities.
If extradited, Mangione is expected to be held at Riker’s Island or another New York facility while awaiting trial.
