In a shocking development, Luigi Mangione, a suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was apprehended at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Authorities revealed during a press conference that Mangione was found in possession of a 3D-printed “ghost gun,” believed to have been used in the assassination.
Ghost guns are firearms assembled from parts purchased online, often evading traditional regulation. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny stated the recovered weapon was “capable of firing 9 mm rounds,” pending further ballistic testing. Mangione, a computer science graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, reportedly carried a manifesto expressing remorse for the killing but justifying it as necessary.
Thompson, 50, was fatally shot on his way to a UnitedHealthcare Investors meeting in Midtown Manhattan at approximately 6:45 am. Surveillance images distributed across 80 police departments portrayed a hooded, masked figure, later identified as Mangione. A McDonald’s employee recognized Mangione from wanted posters, leading to his arrest.
Authorities found disturbing evidence linked to Mangione, including a counterfeit ID and a bag in Central Park filled with clothes and Monopoly money. Police diver units also searched park waterways for additional evidence. Further, a burner phone recovered during the investigation is being analyzed for potential connections.
Mangione was reportedly using a laptop at the time of his arrest, raising questions about his possible online activities. Investigators are exploring any accomplices or digital footprints that might reveal a motive.
The NYPD and FBI had intensified efforts to locate Mangione after concluding he had fled New York. His capture has shifted focus to uncovering the reasons behind the targeted killing, which authorities believe was premeditated. As the investigation unfolds, the discovery of the 3D-printed ghost gun underscores growing concerns about untraceable weapons and their implications in violent crimes.