Luigi Mangione Indicted  in Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson

Article updated 4/21/2025

Luigi Mangione has been federally indicted in connection with the December 2024 killing of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. On April 17, 2025, a federal grand jury in New York indicted Mangione on four charges:

1. One count of murder through the use of a firearm
2. One additional firearms offense
3. Two counts of stalking

If convicted of the federal murder charge, Mangione could face the death penalty. Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed prosecutors to pursue capital punishment in this high-profile case.

The indictment provides new details on the case:

• Brian Thompson was fatally shot on December 4, 2024 outside a Manhattan hotel where he was staying for a business meeting.
• Mangione was already facing state murder and terrorism charges in New York and Pennsylvania, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
• The federal complaint was initially unsealed in December 2024, but Mangione was not formally indicted until April 2025.

Mangione has not yet entered a plea on the new federal charges. The case is expected to continue drawing national attention given the severity of the allegations and prominence of the victim. It remains ongoing as Mangione's legal proceedings move forward.

About The Case

Brian Thompson, the 50-year-old CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot outside the New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan. The incident, which occurred around 6:45 a.m., has sent shockwaves through the industry.

 

Targeted Attack in the Heart of Manhattan

The shooting took place near the intersection of West 54th Street and 6th Avenue, where UnitedHealthcare was set to host its annual investor conference. Thompson, who was not staying at the hotel but had arrived for the event, was ambushed as he entered the building. 

The attacker reportedly shot Thompson multiple times at close range before fleeing the scene on a bicycle, demonstrating a level of planning that has alarmed both law enforcement and corporate security experts.

Thompson had been with UnitedHealth Group since 2004 and had risen through the ranks to become CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021. His leadership experience included roles as CEO of UnitedHealthcare's government programs and CFO for several business segments.

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, UnitedHealthcare canceled its investor conference, which was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. This decision underscores the gravity of the situation and the profound impact on the company's operations.

This incident has raised serious concerns about the security of corporate executives, particularly in high-profile industries like healthcare. Companies across the sector are likely to reassess their security protocols and consider enhanced measures to protect their leadership teams.