Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the ambush killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has expressed gratitude to those who have written to him while he is being held in a New York City detention facility. In a statement posted on a website created by his defense team, Mangione acknowledged the outpouring of support he has received, saying,”I am overwhelmed by – and grateful for – everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support. Powerfully, this support has transcended political, racial, and even class divisions, as mail has flooded MDC from across the country, and around the globe. While it is impossible for me to reply to most letters, please know that I read every one that I receive. Thank you again to everyone who took the time to write. I look forward to hearing more in the future.”

LUIGI HAS MADE A PUBLIC STATEMENT YALL. Please read the pictures for detail! Website: https://t.co/nwOMMFXhZg pic.twitter.com/BHDxXgNkeb

— DeLulu (@In_LuigiWeTrust) February 14, 2025

Mangione’s statement is his first public comment since his arrest in December. He is currently facing charges of first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism and other counts in connection with Thompson’s killing. The CEO was shot from behind while walking on a Manhattan sidewalk on December 4.

The killing has been widely condemned by officials, including Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who stated that “this type of premeditated, targeted gun violence cannot and will not be tolerated.” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro also criticised those who have suggested that Mangione was justified in the killing, saying, “In some dark corners, this killer is being hailed as a hero. Hear me on this: He is no hero.”

Mangione is also facing charges in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested on December 9. He is accused of using a “ghost gun” with a suppressor to carry out the killing. The investigation found that the words “deny,” “depose,” and “delay” were written on two spent shell casings and a bullet found at the scene.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. His defense team has created a website to provide information about his cases and to dispel misinformation. The website includes a message from Mangione’s attorneys, stating that the site was created to provide accurate information and to answer frequently asked questions.

Supporters of Mangione have crowdfunded nearly $400,000 to support his legal team. His next court date is scheduled for February 21 in Manhattan.

It is worth noting that UnitedHealthcare is the largest private insurer in the country, and writings found on Mangione when he was arrested detailed his grievances with the healthcare system. However, authorities have stated that neither Mangione nor anyone in his family were insured by UnitedHealthcare.

The case has sparked widespread interest and debate, with many questioning the motives behind Mangione’s actions.

New York, United States:

US authorities on Tuesday charged the man suspected of gunning down a health insurance CEO in New York earlier this month with murder, including a charge of second-degree murder “as an act of terrorism.”

Mangione, 26, is accused of shooting UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson on a Manhattan street on December 4, triggering a nationwide manhunt that ended last week when he was spotted at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s.

The former data engineer remains jailed in that state as he fights efforts to extradite him to New York to face charges there over the killing, which brought into focus widespread public anger against the US health care system.

Mangione “is charged with one count of murder in the first degree and two counts of murder in the second degree, including one count of murder in the second degree as an act of terrorism,” said Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg.

Bragg said the terrorism charge was included because the shooting met the prerequisites for such a determination under New York law.

“In its most basic terms, this was a killing that was intended to evoke terror and we’ve seen that reaction,” he said. “This was not an ordinary killing.”

The maximum penalty for the murder charges Mangione faces is life in prison without parole, Bragg said.

The suspect was also charged with several crimes related to his possession of a weapon, which authorities said was a 3D-printed “ghost gun.”

“We allege he… took out a nine-millimeter 3D-printed ghost gun equipped with a 3D-printed suppressor and shot (Thompson) once in the back and once in the leg,” said Bragg.

“These weapons are increasingly proliferating throughout New York City and the entire country. Evolving technology will only make this problem worse,” he said.

“Last year, over 80 ghost guns and ghost gun parts were recovered in Manhattan alone.”

‘Shocking and appalling’

In the wake of Thompson’s killing, many social media users have lionized Mangione, with some even calling for further killings of other CEOs.

Jessica Tisch, the New York City police commissioner, criticized members of the public who had praised the murder.

“In the nearly two weeks since Mr Thompson’s killing, we have seen a shocking and appalling celebration of cold-blooded murder,” said Tisch.

Mangione is due in Pennsylvania court on Thursday for a hearing on his extradition to New York.

Police say a “life-changing, life-altering” back injury may have motivated Mangione, although they added that there was “no indication” that he was ever a client of UnitedHealthcare.

When he was arrested, Mangione had a three-page handwritten text criticizing the US health care system.

Police have said that Mangione’s fingerprints matched those found near the crime scene, and that shell casings match the gun found on him when he was arrested.

Bragg said that the suspect traveled to New York on November 24 with the intention of murdering Thompson.

On December 4, he is alleged to have waited “for nearly an hour” outside the hotel where Thompson was shot early that morning.

“This was a frightening, well planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation,” said district attorney Bragg.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)