Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old suspect in the December 2024 fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has been indicted on federal charges, including murder through the use of a firearm.
This indictment makes him eligible for the death penalty, a move the Justice Department is actively pursuing under Attorney General Pam Bondi’s directive.
Federal Indictment Details
A federal grand jury in Manhattan returned a four-count indictment against Mangione, charging him with: 
- Murder through the use of a firearm
- Two counts of stalking
- A firearms-related offense
These charges stem from the December 4, 2024, incident where Thompson was shot outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel while attending an investor conference.
Death Penalty Pursuit
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced earlier this month that federal prosecutors would seek the death penalty against Mangione, describing the act as a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination” and an “act of political violence.”
This marks the first federal death penalty case under President Donald Trump’s current administration.
Mangione’s defense team argues that the decision to pursue capital punishment is politically motivated and undermines due process.
They have filed motions to block the death penalty, citing violations of Justice Department protocols and potential prejudice against their client.
Background and Arrest
Mangione, an Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland family, was arrested on December 9, 2024, in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
At the time of his arrest, authorities recovered a 9mm handgun matching the weapon used in Thompson’s killing, along with a notebook expressing hostility toward the health insurance industry.
Notably, the ammunition used in the shooting bore inscriptions such as “delay,” “deny,” and “depose,” referencing criticisms of insurance claim denials.
Public Reaction and Industry Impact
The assassination of a high-profile healthcare executive has sent shockwaves through the industry.
Some health insurers have increased security measures, while others have shifted to virtual shareholder meetings.
Conversely, Mangione has garnered a following among critics of the U.S. healthcare system, with supporters viewing him as a symbol of resistance against perceived injustices in health insurance practices.
Next Steps
Mangione remains in federal custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
A federal court hearing is scheduled for Friday in Manhattan. If convicted on federal charges, the jury would determine in a separate phase whether to recommend the death penalty, which the judge would then be required to impose.
