US authorities have charged a 26-year-old man, Mangione, with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, an incident described by prosecutors as a targeted and terrorizing act. The charges include one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder, one of which is classified as an act of terrorism under New York law. The tragic killing occurred on December 4, when Thompson was shot on a Manhattan street, sparking a nationwide manhunt that culminated in Mangione's capture at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s last week.

According to Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg, Mangione meticulously planned the murder, traveling to New York on November 24 and waiting nearly an hour outside the hotel where Thompson was shot. Bragg stated that the suspect used a 3D-printed "ghost gun" equipped with a suppressor, shooting Thompson once in the back and once in the leg. These untraceable firearms are increasingly proliferating, with over 80 such weapons recovered in Manhattan alone last year, Bragg noted.

Authorities believe the crime was motivated by Mangione’s frustration with the US healthcare system, though they found no evidence that he was ever a client of UnitedHealthcare. When arrested, Mangione was in possession of a handwritten three-page text criticizing the healthcare system. Investigators have linked him to the crime scene through fingerprints and shell casings that matched the weapon found in his possession.

The murder, described by Bragg as “frightening, well-planned, and targeted,” has provoked a wave of public reactions, with some social media users disturbingly lionizing Mangione and calling for violence against other CEOs. New York City police commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned these celebrations as “shocking and appalling,” underscoring the gravity of the crime and its implications.

Mangione remains in custody in Pennsylvania as he contests his extradition to New York, with a court hearing scheduled for Thursday. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. The case has also highlighted the challenges posed by evolving firearm technologies and the broader societal tensions surrounding the US healthcare system.

Disclaimer:This image is taken from Reuters.