Brian Thompson murder: Luigi Mangione intended to evoke terror, says chargesheet
Luigi Mangione, the suspect arrested for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has been charged with murder as an act of terrorism. The 26-year-old has been indicted on 11 counts, including first-degree murder and murder as a crime of terrorism.
Mangione, a native of Maryland, was arrested last week for the murder of Thompson, who was shot dead in New York on December 4.
'Intent was to sow terror'
According to New York prosecutors, Thompson's murder was an act of "brazen" killing.
"This was a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation. The intent was to sow terror," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said.
Under New York law, such a charge can be brought when an alleged crime is "intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policies of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion, and affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping.c"
Mangione to be extradited to New York??
Mangione, who was arrested in Pennsylvania on December 9, has been charged with gun and forgery offences there and locked up without bail. Authorities in New York have also begun the process to extradite him in connection with the murder that has sent shockwaves across the world and also polarised opinions.
Why did Mangione kill Thompson?
Mangione, who belongs to an affluent Maryland family and is an Ivy League computer science graduate, used a 3D-printed 9mm handgun to kill Thompson.
What makes the murder even more complex are the alleged reasons for Mangione to take the extreme step. Mangione, who underwent spinal surgery last year, was reportedly miffed by the healthcare system.
When he was arrested, cops recovered a handwritten letter from Mangione in which he called health insurance companies "parasitic" and complained about corporate greed.
The killing of Thompson also resulted in 'celebrations' on social media, which many say is a sign of resentment towards insurance companies, notorious for denying healthcare claims.
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