Luigi Mangione will fight extradition to NYC in alleged murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
ALTOONA, Pa. - Luigi Mangione, the suspect charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, will fight extradition back to New York City.
FOX News reports Mangione was denied bail during an appearance at a Blair County courthouse on Tuesday, a day after he was spotted and taken into custody at a McDonald's in Altoona. He is being represented by local attorney Thomas Dickey, who FOX News reports instructed Mangione not to speak during the hearing.
Investigators say it was a restaurant employee that noticed Mangione and alerted police who arrived and questioned the accused killer.
Mangione was said to be "visibly nervous" and shaking when police asked him if he had recently visited New York City, which is over 200 miles away from Altoona.
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Luigi Mangione charged in murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO, court records show
New York prosecutors have filed murder and other charges against Luigi Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO, court documents show.
Police said he was found with a ghost gun and a silencer similar to the one used in the brazen shooting that unfolded outside a Manhattan hotel last week.
Also found on Mangione were several fake IDs – including a forged New Jersey driver's license investigators say was used to check into a NYC hostel. A so-called manifesto that included writings about Mangione's disdain for the American healthcare system was also found on him during his arrest, police said.
Prosecutors in Manhattan have since filed murder charges against Mangione for the fatal shooting of Thompson. He also faces weapons and forgery charges in Pennsylvania.
"I have no tolerance, nor should anyone, for one man, using an illegal ghost gun, to murder someone because he thinks his opinion matters most," Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said on Monday. "In a civil society, we are all less safe when ideologies engage in vigilante justice. In some dark corners, this killer is being hailed as a hero. Hear me on this: He is no hero. The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonald's this morning."
More about who Luigi Mangione is, and what investigators believe may have motivated the murder of Thompson is still unfolding. Mangione, a former University of Pennsylvania student and high school valedictorian, comes from a wealthy real estate family in Maryland.
Mangione is related to Maryland State Delegate Nino Mangione, who in a statement shared with FOX Digital, said the family is "shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest." The Mangione family extended their condolences to the family of Brian Thompson and asked to "pray for all involved."
Pennsylvania State Police on Tuesday shared more images of Mangione at the McDonald's where police believe the __ day manhunt came to an end. They have asked anyone with information about Mangione's whereabouts after the shooting to come forward.