Former Ivy League computer scientist Luigi Mangione, 26, was apprehended at an Altoona, Pennsylvania McDonald's in connection with the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione was reportedly shaking during the arrest but later calmed down while in custody. He was observed eating a meal provided by officers, showcasing a surprisingly calm demeanor given the circumstances.

Mangione was identified by a McDonald's employee and customer who recognized him and alerted authorities. Police discovered Mangione with a laptop, wearing a beanie and a face mask. He was found in possession of items including the suspected murder weapon (a ghost gun with 3D-printed components and a suppressor), a fake ID matching the one used at a Manhattan hostel before the shooting, $10,000 in mixed currency, and a Faraday bag, typically used to block cellular signals. Mangione denied ownership of the cash, claiming it was planted.

Mangione's arrest followed a nationwide search initiated after Thompson was fatally shot on December 4th while en route to a shareholder meeting in Midtown Manhattan. Surveillance footage captured the masked assailant approaching Thompson from behind and fleeing the scene after the shooting. The suspect was tracked to a bus depot shortly afterward.

Mangione, a University of Pennsylvania graduate with degrees in computer science and a former valedictorian at the Gilman School in Baltimore, had previously posted online about the Unabomber Ted Kaczynski's manifesto, quoting a passage about the necessity of violence. Investigators discovered spent bullet casings at the crime scene inscribed with the words "depose," "deny," and "defend," potentially hinting at a motive related to insurance claim disputes. Mangione is facing numerous charges in both New York and Pennsylvania, with an extradition hearing pending.