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CEO murder: New details in investigation explained
FOX 5 NY's Linda Schmidt breaks down the latest details in the CEO killing investigation, including the gun that links suspect Luigi Mangione to the murder.
NEW YORK - As Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson, fights extradition to New York, "wanted" posters targeting healthcare executives have reportedly begun surfacing.
The posters, which have drawn significant attention, were highlighted in a TikTok video posted Tuesday. They name various health care industry executives and include statements like "Denying medical care for corporate profit" and "Healthcare CEOs should not feel safe," printed in bold capital letters alongside their pictures.
Several "wanted" posters identifying various health care CEOs began surfacing throughout New York City earlier this week, following the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)
The NYPD says they're aware of the posters and advised companies to increase security measures for their executives.
"We are aware of the posters and are investigating these incidents," a spokesperson from the NYPD’s Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information, told FOX Business.
The posters and memes emerged following the murder of 51-year-old Brian Thompson, the CEO of the United States’ largest health insurance company, who was fatally shot last week.
Mangione has been charged with second-degree murder in Thompson’s killing and faces a potential life sentence if convicted.
An avenger or a criminal killer?
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'Free Luigi' - Support for CEO killer on social media
From hashtags and memes to merchandise like mugs, hats and tote bags featuring slogans like "Mommy's Little CEO Killer," social media is buzzing with sympathy for Luigi Mangione.
The alleged killing of Thompson by Mangione has sparked sharply divided reactions online. Memes and social media posts have lionized Mangione, with some likening him to historical antiheroes such as Bonnie and Clyde.
"In this house, Luigi Mangione is a hero, end of story," read one viral post, which amassed millions of views.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, however, pushed back against this glorification of violence. "We do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint," Shapiro said. He commended the citizen who alerted authorities after spotting Mangione at a McDonald’s, calling them the "real hero" in this case.
The latest in the case
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Luigi Mangione fights extradition in CEO murder case
The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggled with deputies and shouted while arriving for a court appearance in Pennsylvania a day after he was arrested at a McDonald’s and charged with murder. Luigi Nicholas Mangione emerged from a patrol car, spun toward reporters and shouted something partly unintelligible while deputies pushed him inside Tuesday. At the brief hearing, the defense lawyer informed the court that Mangione would not waive extradition to New York but instead wants a hearing on the issue. Mangione was denied bail.
On Wednesday, police confirmed that the gun found on suspect Luigi Mangione matched shell casings recovered from the scene of CEO Brian Thompson’s killing.
Additionally, Mangione’s fingerprints were found on a water bottle and protein bar wrapper near the scene. According to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the items were purchased at a nearby coffee shop while Mangione allegedly waited for his target. Tisch shared these details during an unrelated news conference.
Mangione’s family expressed shock over his arrest in a statement:
"We only know what we have read in the media. Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and ask people to pray for all involved. We are devastated by this news."