Luigi Mangione has admitted to killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson after pleading guilty to federal charges of interstate stalking resulting in death. The 28-year-old stated in Manhattan federal court on Friday, 14 August 2026, that he shot Mr Thompson in Manhattan and he died.
Mr Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two, was shot from behind on 4 December 2024, as he entered a hotel in midtown Manhattan. Mangione told the court he planned the attack, crossed state lines with the intent to kill, and used a 3-D-printed gun equipped with a silencer and magazine.
Mangione stated he was driven to kill Mr Thompson due to his experience with the healthcare system after enduring severe pains from a broken back. He learned UnitedHealthcare would hold an investor conference in Manhattan in December 2024, travelled to New York, and emailed the company posing as an investor with the intent to shoot Mr Thompson.
Mangione faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for the federal charges, with sentencing scheduled for 18 December. Prosecutors have recommended a sentence of between 24-30 years, but Judge Margaret Garnett will ultimately decide the sentence, noting the recommendation is not binding and there is no parole in the federal system.
Mangione also faces state charges, including second-degree murder. His lawyers are seeking to have these dismissed, arguing that the federal guilty plea runs afoul of double jeopardy. However, the Manhattan District Attorney's office has stated it is prepared to proceed with the state prosecution.