Luigi Mangione admitted to fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson in New York City in 2024 as he pleaded guilty to stalking charges in a Manhattan courtroom on Friday.
“I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan,” Mangione, 28, told the federal judge. “I understood that my actions would place him in fear of death or bodily injury. I knew what I was doing was illegal.”
Mangione also described the events that he said led to the fatal shooting of Thompson outside a Hilton hotel on the morning of December 4, 2024 — and how he learned of the CEO's movements in Midtown Manhattan. Mangione said he had reached out to UnitedHealthcare, posing as an investor who planned to attend the same conference as Thompson.
“Unlike my previous interactions with insurers, I received an immediate response within an hour,” Mangione told the court.
The conference's location wasn't previously disclosed, but Mangione had researched online. Then, around 6:45 a.m. Mangione fired at Thompson on the sidewalk as he neared the hotel. The killer fled the area, sparking a nationwide manhunt that ended with his arrest days later in Pennsylvania.
Mangione, a University of Pennsylvania graduate, told the court he had used a 3-D printed gun to kill Thompson, 50. Police later recovered what they described as a “ghost” gun.
In his statement, he said he had endured years of back pain from an injury while navigating the insurance system.
After the shooting, bullet casings found at the scene reportedly had the words “deny,” “delay,” and “depose” written on them, referencing an alleged tactic used by insurance companies to deny claims. Police also discovered a notebook expressing Mangione’s disapproval of the healthcare system.
The case quickly drew national attention.
Some polls showed that a notable share of younger Americans viewed the killing as acceptable, reflecting broader anger at the insurance industry. Many others condemned what they saw as the celebration of the death of Thompson, a husband and father of two.
On Friday, Mangione pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18 and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. Mangione had previously pleaded not guilty to the separate murder charges pending against him in New York state court.
Thompson’s family released a statement following the plea, describing it as “an important step toward justice for Brian and for our family.”
“While nothing will ease the pain of losing him, we are grateful that the federal justice system has held the person responsible for this heinous act accountable,” the statement said. “Now we look to the court to ensure that sentencing reflects the severity of this crime.”
Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Mangione’s attorney, said after the hearing: “We just filed our motion in state court explaining why the state charges must be dismissed under New York’s double jeopardy protections.”
She further remarked on her client’s motivations. “As Luigi explained in court today, he endured years of severe debilitating pain following a broken back while struggling to navigate our healthcare and health insurance systems,” she said.