A “strong person of interest” in possession of a gun and several fake IDs was arrested in Pennsylvania on Monday in connection with the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police said.
The 26-year-old man was identified as Luigi Mangione and arrested on weapons charges, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters.
“Additionally, officers recovered a handwritten document that speaks to both his motivation and mindset,” Tisch said.
Mangione was born and raised in Maryland and has no prior known arrests, police said.
Police also recovered a three-page handwritten note that speaks to his motivation, which is now in evidence. However, officials are not saying if Thompson’s name was specifically mentioned in the letter.
Investigators are also looking at online posts from the 26-year-old about domestic terrorist Ted Kaczynski, whose bombs killed three people.
Law enforcement officials also found clothes matching the suspected gunman’s and a fake ID used at a New York City hostel, the commissioner said.
The words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were found on shell casings at the scene where Thompson was gunned down.
Thompson was in New York for the UnitedHealthcare investors conference.
The shooter opened fire around 6:45 a.m., surveillance footage showed, before fleeing on foot and then on a bike into Central Park, authorities said.
“Our hope is that today’s apprehension brings some relief to Brian’s family, friends, colleagues, and the many others affected by this unspeakable tragedy,” a UnitedHealthcare representative said Monday. “We thank law enforcement and will continue to work with them on this investigation.”
The shooting also exposed the feelings many have towards health insurance companies with social media feeds being flooded with posts celebrating — or at least justifying — Thompson’s killing.
The New York Police Department along with other law enforcement officials believe that there is no other threat to any other CEO or anyone in the healthcare industry.
