Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty on August 14, 2026, in Manhattan federal court to two federal stalking charges that resulted in the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4, 2024 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. Mangione admitted shooting Thompson in the back outside a Manhattan hotel during UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference [1, 3, 8, 7]. "On the morning of December 4, 2024 I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan in his back," Mangione said in court [1].
Thompson, 50 years old and a father of two, was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare’s insurance unit at the time of his death [1, 3, 8, 7]. Mangione, who was 28 at his guilty plea hearing, had planned the attack, traveling from Atlanta to New York about 10 days before the shooting [1, 8, 7]. He used a 3D-printed gun with a silencer and magazine and sent emails posing as an investor to gather information about the conference venue [1, 8, 7].
After the shooting, there was a five-day manhunt ending with Mangione’s arrest at a McDonald’s restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 9, 2024 [1, 8, 7]. In April 2025, Mangione pleaded not guilty to federal murder, weapons, and stalking charges, but in January 2026, a federal judge dismissed the murder and weapons charges on legal grounds, leaving only stalking charges [2, 4, 5].
Mangione faces possible life imprisonment on the stalking charges [2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. He also faces separate New York state charges including second-degree murder, weapons, and forgery. A state trial is scheduled for September 8, 2026 [9, 2, 3, 4, 6]. His lawyers have filed motions to dismiss the state charges, citing New York’s double jeopardy law, arguing the federal plea bars state prosecution for the same conduct. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office opposes the motions, saying the charges are legally distinct [9, 2, 3, 5, 6]. Mangione’s lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo said, "We just filed our motion in state court, explaining why the state charges must be dismissed under New York’s double jeopardy protections" [3]. US Attorney Jamie McDonald remarked, "There can be no celebrity in assassination" [3].
Thompson’s family issued a statement calling the federal guilty plea an important step toward justice and said they will continue pursuing justice in state court. "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. Now we look to the court to ensure that sentencing reflects the severity of this crime," they said [1, 3, 10].
The killing sparked public backlash against the US health insurance industry and Mangione gained some support from those viewing him as a protest figure [9, 2, 3, 10]. Sentencing for the federal stalking charges is scheduled for December 18, 2026 [1, 3, 5, 6].
