NEW YORK– Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompsonis expected to be extradited to New York City to face murder charges.
Currently he is is being held without bail in Altoona, Pennsylvaniawhere authorities say the extradition process could take days, if not weeks. Investigators are now working through what they call a mountain of evidence, trying to fill in the gaps of his journey and determine whether he acted alone.
The 26-year-old was arrested five days after the shooting A customer saw him at a McDonald’s in Altoonaabout 300 miles away from the shooting in Midtown Manhattan.
The customer recognized Mangione from the searched photos and told an employee, who called the police. Officers responded and began asking Mangione if he had been to New York City recently.
“We didn’t think twice about it, we knew it was our guy,” Altoona Police Officer Tyler Frye said Monday.
“He visibly got nervous and shook a little bit at that question, but he didn’t really answer it directly,” Altoona Deputy Chief Derick Swope said.
Law Enforcement Resources
When asked for his ID, police said he provided a counterfeit New Jersey driver’s license, which investigators believe was the same as the one used to check into a Manhattan hostel ten days before the shooting.
Police arrested Mangione on forgery charges, and once in custody they searched his backpack, where they found a U.S. passport, clothing matching the shooter’s description, a ghost gun with a suppressor that matched the murder weapon, and a three-page handwritten note.
“We don’t think there are any specific threats to others mentioned in that document, but it does appear that he harbors ill will toward corporate America,” said Joseph Kenny, chief of detectives for the NYPD.
Charting Mangione’s time on the run
N.Y.P.D
Police also said Mangione had several electronic devices with him, which they believe he used to evade detection.
“He was being very careful, trying to keep a low profile and avoid cameras,” said Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police.
Investigators said that was the most crucial clue in the investigation a photo of the hostel where the suspect took off his mask.
The NYPD has been working around the clock to track his movements – from his arrival by bus to New York City, to his escape from the crime scene by bicycle to Central Parkand are taxi ride to an uptown bus terminalwhere they think he fled.
Police believe he left New York City immediately after the shooting and traveled through Pennsylvania in the days that followed. They believe he took a Greyhound bus to Philadelphia and spent some time there before heading to Pittsburg and eventually Altoona.
“If you have any information about this suspect or his travels through Pennsylvania, please share these tips with us immediately,” Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said.
Who is Luigi Mangione?
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
CBS News has learned that Mangione is from a prominent Maryland family which owns country clubs, health care facilities and real estate companies. He graduated as valedictorian from a private high schoolreceived his Masters in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and also has ties to Stanford.
A former classmate and childhood friend told CBS News that he was kind and smart and had no enemies during his school days.
The Mangione family released a statement overnight saying they are shocked and shocked by the news.
“Unfortunately, we cannot comment on news reports regarding Luigi Mangione. We only know what we have read in the media. Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” the statement said. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and ask people to pray for everyone involved. We are devastated by this news.”
Mangione last worked as a data engineer at a vehicle buying website called True Car in 2023, according to his LinkedIn account. In recent months, posts tagging him on social media suggested he had lost touch with friends, with some asking where he was and what he was. do, wish him the best and hope he is doing well.
CBS News has also learned that Mangione lived at a coworking and co-living space called Surfbreak in Honolulu until 2022, when a spokesperson for that community said he left because of a lifelong back injury that was aggravated by surfing and hiking.
“I was roommates with him, friends. Hiked, went to yoga. He tried his best to be athletic,” said RJ Martin, a former roommate of Surfbreak. “Unfathomable, knowing what kind of person I saw and knew.”
The spokesperson said they believe he returned to Hawaii in 2023 and started a book club, from which they said several members left due to “discomfort choosing books.”
Sources tell CBS News back pain was a major factor in his life and seemed to be a source of pain and frustration for him.
“Personally, I don’t understand it,” Martin said. “There is never a justification for violence.”
Elijah Westbrook
