Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Luigi Mangione Pleads Guilty to Federal Stalking Charges in Killing
A man named Luigi Mangione went to court and told a judge that he shot the leader of a big health insurance company called UnitedHealthcare.
The man he shot was named Brian Thompson, and the shooting happened in New York City in December 2024.
Mangione also admitted that he followed Mr. Thompson to a big meeting for company investors and pretended to be an investor so he could learn about the event.
In court, he said "guilty" to federal charges about following Mr. Thompson.
His lawyers are trying to cancel a separate New York state murder case against him, saying he shouldn't be punished twice for the same event.
The people who run the state case say they will keep going with it.
A judge will decide on December 18 how long Mangione might stay in prison, and prosecutors want it to be for life.
Mr. Thompson's family called the plea an important step toward justice.
Luigi Mangione, 28, pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges in the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
In court, Mangione admitted, "On the morning of December 4, I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan, and he died."
Mangione said he stalked Thompson to an investor conference, using a ruse by posing as an investor to obtain details about the event.
His lawyers are seeking to dismiss the New York state murder case on double jeopardy grounds, arguing he shouldn't face two prosecutions over one event; the Manhattan district attorney's office says it will contest the move.
Prosecutors plan to seek a life prison term at sentencing on Dec. 18, and Thompson's family called the plea "an important step toward justice."
- Who
- Luigi Mangione, 28, pleaded guilty; the victim was Brian Thompson, 50, CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
- What
- Mangione admitted to shooting and killing Brian Thompson and pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges, while his lawyers seek to dismiss the New York state murder case on double jeopardy grounds.
- When
- The shooting occurred on December 4, 2024; the guilty plea was entered on a Friday in federal court (exact date not stated in the articles), with sentencing set for December 18.
- Where
- The plea was entered in Manhattan federal court; the shooting took place in Manhattan, New York City.
- Why
- Mangione told the court he acted "after years of enduring severe pain from a broken back and navigating the obstacles of the health insurance system."
Industry critics' viewpoint
Authorities and family's viewpoint
Mangione as a symbol
Industry critics' viewpoint
Mangione's private writings lambasting health insurers as greedy made him a cause célèbre for some critics of the insurance industry, and the case became a focal point for debate about the industry.
Authorities and family's viewpoint
Officials condemned any idolization: NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said, "Violence is not a cause. Murder is not a message. And a killer is certainly not a hero," and U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald said, "There can be no celebrity in assassination."
Double jeopardy and the state murder case
Industry critics' viewpoint
Mangione's defense argues he shouldn't face two prosecutions over a "single tragic event" and seeks to dismiss the New York state murder case on double jeopardy grounds after his federal guilty plea.
Authorities and family's viewpoint
The Manhattan district attorney's office says it remains committed to its state case and will contest the defense's efforts to shut it down.
- Defendant
- Luigi Mangione, 28
- Victim
- Brian Thompson, 50, CEO of UnitedHealthcare
- Plea
- Guilty to federal stalking charges
- Shooting
- December 4, 2024, in Manhattan
- Sentencing
- December 18; prosecutors to seek life in prison
- Pending Case
- New York state murder prosecution; defense seeks dismissal on double jeopardy grounds
- Ammunition Markings
- "delay," "deny," and "depose"
- Arrest
- In Altoona, Pennsylvania, five days after the shooting
