Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested Monday as part of the investigation into the targeted killing of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthCare in New York. Currently, Luigi Mangione’s profile is intriguing: a young engineer graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, a prestigious Ivy League institution, and the son of an influential Maryland family, his involvement is puzzling. According to the authorities, Luigi Mangione is suspected of having used a weapon made as a kit, possibly from a 3D printer, equipped with a silencer.
A three-page handwritten document expressing his “hostility toward American companies” was also seized. “At this time, we believe this is the person we are looking for in the targeted and ruthless killing of Brian Thompson,” said New York Police Chief Jessica Tisch. Luigi Mangione was to appear in court for illegal possession of weapons before being transferred to New York for further proceedings.
A brilliant academic career
Mangione has an impressive academic and professional background. Originally from Maryland, he was valedictorian at Gilman High School in Baltimore in 2016. He then continued his studies at the University of Pennsylvania, where he obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering sciences in 2020. During his studies, he co-chaired a group of 60 students working on video game development.
His former comrades describe him as an intelligent and uneventful young man. “My impression is that he was a normal guy, a nice kid, […] smart,” said a former Gilman High School student, expressing surprise at the affair. Professionally, he held a position as a statistics engineer at True Car, an online car dealership, until 2023.
Motivations still unclear
Despite his apparent success, his motivations remain unclear. His publications on X, often convoluted, and his rare Instagram posts do not allow us to understand his intentions. The authorities are continuing to examine his online activities to try to clarify the reasons for his action. In the meantime, this case fascinates a public captivated by the enigma represented by this young engineer with a brilliant career but a trajectory tainted by an alleged crime.
Find our file on the United States
Since news of his arrest broke, his alleged social media accounts have exploded in popularity. His Instagram account grew from 2,000 to more than 45,000 subscribers in two hours, and his profile on X (formerly Twitter) reached 180,000 subscribers in the same period. Many Internet users are already calling him a “hero,” speculating that he acted out of personal revenge against health insurance.
