Getty ImagesLuigi Mangione has been charged with first-degree murder in the killing of healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, the New York district attorney announced Tuesday.
Mangione faces a variety of charges, including first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder, one of which calls the killing an “act of terrorism,” Bragg said.
Prosecutor Alvin Bragg said the “purpose was to instill fear” and described the shooting as “a horrific, well-planned, targeted murder”.
Mr. Mangione is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 19 for a court hearing on whether to be extradited to New York to face charges, but Mr. Bragg suggested he may not fight extradition.
“There are indications that the defendant may waive the hearing,” Bragg said.
The extradition proceedings are scheduled for the same day as Mangione's preliminary hearing on gun-related charges in Pennsylvania.
At a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Bragg and New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch slammed those who praised Mr. Mangione in the wake of the Dec. 4 shooting.
“In the nearly two weeks since Mr. Thompson's murder, we have witnessed a shocking and gruesome celebration of cold-blooded murder,” Tisch said. “We don't glorify murder or take great joy in killing someone.”
Mangione was arrested five days after UnitedHealthcare CEO Thompson was shot and killed at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, with a so-called “ghost gun” and fake identification, police said.
His attorney, Thomas Dickey, said he had seen no evidence linking Mangione's gun to the crime.
New York prosecutors last week began sharing evidence in the case against Mangione with a grand jury.
If extradited, the 26-year-old would likely be held at Rikers Island or another prison in New York.
shutter stockTisch said the evidence against Mangione included a clear match between his fingerprints and those found at the crime scene.
Police said when Mangione was arrested, they found a ghost gun (a gun constructed from untraceable parts), fake identification documents, as well as a passport and handwritten documents stating his “motives and mindset.” It is said that it was done.
He was formally charged in Pennsylvania with charges including forgery, unlicensed possession of a firearm, falsifying records or identification, possession of instruments of crime, and providing false identification to police.
Mr. Mangione is being held under maximum security at the Huntingdon State Correctional Facility in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, while he awaits his fate in a New York courtroom.
He was denied bail.
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