Everything we know so far about Luigi Mangione: From Ivy League to inmate
By stefan armitage
Luigi Mangione’s arrest has shocked both his affluent Baltimore community and the broader nation.
Once the valedictorian of a prestigious all-boys private school and a promising Ivy League graduate, the 26-year-old is now charged with second-degree murder over the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The killing, carried out in broad daylight on a New York City sidewalk on December 4, has raised questions about Mangione’s motivations and mental state.
Here’s an in-depth look at what we know so far about Mangione, the crime, and the unfolding investigation.
A Privileged Background and a Promising Future
Born in Maryland to a wealthy family deeply entrenched in Baltimore’s real estate scene, Mangione’s early life was marked by achievement. He attended the prestigious Gilman School, an all-boys private school in Baltimore, where he graduated as valedictorian in 2016.
Mangione’s academic success continued at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned both a bachelor’s degree in engineering and computer science and later a master’s degree in engineering, graduating in 2020.
While at Penn, he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and launched a video game development club, inspired by his love of independent games. “I just really wanted to make games,” he shared in a blog post, recalling how he taught himself to code during his freshman and sophomore years of high school, per Metro.
Mangione’s promising future was apparent to many who knew him. Former friends and colleagues described him as “humble” and “destined for a bright future.” R.J. Martin, Mangione’s former college roommate, told ABC News: “He was absolutely not a violent person as far as I could tell.”
Another colleague, who worked with Mangione as a counselor at a Stanford University summer program, described him as outgoing and socially charming. “I am flabbergasted,” the colleague told CNN. “I never got the impression he would self-destruct.”
Despite his achievements, Mangione’s recent life paints a different picture. He maintained ties to multiple locations, including San Francisco, and his last known address was in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he reportedly lived for six months in 2022.
The Crime: A Brazen, Calculated Execution
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot last Wednesday (December 4) in what authorities are calling a “targeted” attack in Midtown Manhattan. The chilling incident occurred just blocks from Times Square and Central Park, as Thompson, 54, walked alone to the New York Hilton to attend a shareholders conference.
Surveillance footage captured the suspect — wearing a mask, a hood, and a light brown or cream-colored jacket — lying in wait for five minutes outside the hotel. At 6:40AM, as Thompson approached, the gunman calmly drew a 3D-printed ghost gun fitted with a silencer and opened fire from behind, hitting Thompson in the back and leg. Thompson was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later.
Police described the act as calculated, with no apparent signs of robbery or random violence. Thompson had been scheduled to speak at an investor conference later that day.
The suspect fled the scene, sparking a days-long manhunt. Authorities had referred to him as a “person of interest”, citing a lack of concrete evidence tying him to the crime. Efforts to locate the gunman involved land and water searches throughout New York City, as well as investigations by the U.S. Marshals Service to trace his arrival to the city, with officials believing he’d traveled to Manhattan by bus.
The crime scene yielded a bizarre clue: bullet casings with the words “deny”, “defend”, and “depose” scrawled on them in Sharpie. Investigators are exploring whether these terms are a reference to the so-called “three D’s of insurance,” a phrase often used by critics of the industry to describe alleged tactics insurers use to deny or delay claims.
The words echo — though do not exactly match — the title of a 2010 book, Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It, which critiques America’s privately run healthcare system.
While investigators have not confirmed a motive, they are reportedly probing whether resentment toward the insurance industry played a role in the attack.
Per BBC News, authorities also found a discarded backpack in Central Park – believed to have been ditched by Mangione. It contained a jacket and some banknotes from the board game Monopoly but no gun, sources told CBS.
Attempting to find some form of motive behind the crime, another high school classmate of Mangione told ABC News that the suspect had undergone back surgery in recent months.
The anonymous classmate said: “Whether it was complications from his back surgery or personal issues with his family and the healthcare system, it definitely came as a huge huge surprise just because he’s not the type of person to do this without reason.”
Mangione’s Arrest
After a five-day manhunt, Mangione was taken into custody at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after an employee recognized him and alerted police. The arrest unfolded quietly, with Mangione reportedly “becoming quiet and starting to shake” when officers questioned him about recent travel to New York, according to court documents.
Arresting officer Tyler Frye later shared his thoughts on the moment, saying: “We didn’t even think twice about it; we knew that was our guy.” Reflecting on the significance of the case, he added: “It feels good to get a guy like that off the street, especially starting my career this way – it feels great.”
Authorities revealed that Mangione was in possession of a backpack containing a ghost gun, a silencer, a blue face mask, and a document described in court records as a “manifesto”. These items, coupled with his behavior, have raised further questions about his intentions and potential connections.
Mangione is facing a range of charges in both New York and Pennsylvania, according to court documents. In New York, he has been charged with murder, two counts of criminal possession of a loaded firearm, one count of criminal possession of a forged instrument, and one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
In Pennsylvania, Mangione is facing five additional charges: forgery, carrying a firearm without a license, tampering with records or identification, possessing instruments of crime, and providing false identification to law enforcement.
The “Manifesto”
Authorities reportedly uncovered a three-page document and a spiral notebook with a “to-do” list when Mangione was arrested, shedding light on his potential motives and mindset.
A portion of the document, referred to by some as a manifesto, has been circulating online, revealing a mix of remorse, defiance, and sharp criticism of the American healthcare system.
The message begins with an acknowledgment of federal investigators: “To the Feds, I’ll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone. This was fairly trivial: some elementary social engineering, basic CAD, a lot of patience.”
Mangione appears to address the contents of the spiral notebook, noting that it contains miscellaneous notes and to-do lists that might provide further context to his actions. However, he insists his technical background as an engineer would have left little evidence behind.
He then offers what seems to be an explanation for his alleged actions, centered on his grievances with the U.S. healthcare system: “Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming. A reminder: the US has the #1 most expensive healthcare system in the world, yet we rank roughly #42 in life expectancy. United is the [indecipherable] largest company in the US by market cap, behind only Apple, Google, Walmart. It has grown and grown, but has our life expectancy?”
Despite not referring to any specific crime, he also reportedly wrote: “I do apologize for any strife of traumas but it had to be done.”
Mangione continues with an indictment of corporate power, writing: “No, the reality is, these [indecipherable] have simply gotten too powerful, and they continue to abuse our country for immense profit because the American public has allowed them to get away with it. Obviously, the problem is more complex, but I do not have space, and frankly I do not pretend to be the most qualified person to lay out the full argument.”
He references previous critics of the healthcare system, including “Rosenthal” and “Moore,” seemingly nodding to Elisabeth Rosenthal, author of An American Sickness, and filmmaker Michael Moore, whose documentaries explore healthcare inequities. Mangione’s note ends with a grim declaration: “Evidently I am the first to face it with such brutal honesty.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that the document found on Mangione’s person “speaks to both his motivation and mindset”.
Mangione’s Family React
Mangione appeared in a Pennsylvania courtroom on Monday night, facing charges of illegal possession of a firearm and fraudulent identification. Without an attorney present, Mangione revealed glimpses of his strained relationship with his prominent Baltimore family, acknowledging he had been in touch with them “until recently.”
Despite his family’s wealth and influence, Mangione requested a public defender, citing his financial situation. His estrangement adds another layer of complexity to the case, given his family’s high-profile status in the Baltimore area.
The Mangione family is well-known in Maryland, thanks to their substantial real estate holdings and philanthropic efforts. Luigi’s grandfather, Nicholas Mangione, transitioned from being a masonry contractor to building an empire that included country clubs, nursing homes, and other real estate ventures in Baltimore’s suburbs.
The family also runs a foundation with nearly $4.5 million in assets and has made notable contributions to local institutions, including Loyola University, which named its aquatic center after them.
On Monday afternoon, private security guards were seen outside the Mangione family home, emphasizing the family’s heightened concerns amidst Luigi’s legal troubles.
In a statement released through Maryland state delegate Nino Mangione, who is Luigi’s cousin, the family expressed their shock and sadness over the arrest. “We are shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” the statement read. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson, and we ask people to pray for all involved.”
The family further stated they “only know what we have read in the media,” underscoring their limited understanding of Luigi’s recent actions.
Mangione’s mother had previously filed a missing person report with the San Francisco Police Department in November, searching for her son’s whereabouts. The San Francisco police chief and department spokesperson have since redirected inquiries to the NYPD, as investigations into Mangione’s activities and motivations continue.
Mangione’s Lawyer Speaks Out
Mangione’s attorney, Tom Dickey, revealed during an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on Tuesday night that his office has received emails from people offering to contribute to Mangione’s legal expenses.
“I have received some emails. I have not seen them personally, but my understanding from my staff is people are doing that,” Dickey said. Despite the offers, he expressed reluctance to accept outside financial support. “Obviously, my client appreciates the support that he has, but I don’t know… it just doesn’t sit right with me,” he added.
The offers coincide with growing social media sympathy for Mangione, where some users have referred to him as a “hero,” citing public frustrations with the U.S. healthcare system.
Dickey also expressed skepticism about the case against Mangione, particularly as his client resists extradition to New York, where he faces multiple charges, including murder. “I haven’t seen any evidence that they have the right guy,” Dickey said, adding that New York authorities “need to convince me.”
Dickey has declined to disclose who retained him to represent Mangione.
Featured image credit: Jeff Swensen / Getty
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Bizarre reason why McDonald’s worker who reported Luigi Mangione to the police may not receive $60,000 reward
By James Kay
Following the arrest of Luigi Mangione, the McDonald’s worker who tipped off the police may not be entitled to the reward money.
As widely reported, Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was gunned down in Manhattan on December 4.
Investigators believe the shooter “lay in wait” for five minutes before targeting the 50-year-old executive, as confirmed by the New York Police Department via the Guardian.
At the crime scene, police discovered shell casings engraved with cryptic messages: “deny,” “depose,” and “defend.”
A break in the case came when Mangione allegedly left a trail of evidence, including a backpack containing Monopoly money, clothing, and surveillance footage from multiple locations, such as a cab and a Starbucks.
Mangione was arrested on December 9 in Altoona, Pennsylvania outside of a McDonald’s restaurant.
The employee, who reportedly alerted authorities, stated that Mangione appeared to possess fraudulent documents, per the Independent.
The tip proved instrumental in Mangione’s arrest and subsequent charges, including murder and firearms violations.
However, it remains unclear whether the McDonald’s worker will receive the reward money.
Authorities offered a combined $60,000 reward – $10,000 from the NYPD and $50,000 from the FBI – for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Thompson’s killer.
Despite the McDonald’s worker’s pivotal role in the arrest, claiming the reward remains uncertain. Both the FBI and NYPD require strict criteria to be met before funds are paid out, as stated by the FBI’s website.
The FBI’s $50,000 reward involves a rigorous nomination process. The informant must be nominated by a U.S. investigating agency, such as the FBI or the Department of Defense.
The nomination is then reviewed by an interagency committee and, if deemed eligible, forwarded to the Secretary of State for approval.
Even if approved, the reward amount can vary. The FBI determines payouts based on factors such as the value of the information, the level of threat mitigated, and the source’s cooperation, per USA Today.
Payments are capped at the advertised amount but often fall short of the maximum.
The FBI does not publicly announce reward payouts or disclose recipients, though a confidential report is submitted to Congress.
The NYPD’s $10,000 reward is managed through the Crime Stoppers program. Tipsters must submit information anonymously through a dedicated hotline or website and receive a unique reference number, per the NYPD.
This number is essential for tracking the status of the tip and claiming the reward.
If a tip leads to an arrest and conviction, the New York City Police Foundation and the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors determine whether the informant qualifies for the reward and guide them through the claim process.
Both the FBI and NYPD require an indictment or conviction before releasing any reward funds. This means the McDonald’s worker – and any other eligible tipsters – could face a lengthy wait.
Additionally, if the worker contacted police directly instead of using Crime Stoppers, they might not qualify for the NYPD portion of the reward.
Mangione has not yet been charged with Thompson’s murder, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Until formal charges are filed and a trial leads to a conviction, any reward payouts will remain on hold.
Featured image credit: PA Dept. of Corrections
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Luigi Mangione’s attorney speaks out as suspected killer fights extradition to face murder charge
By Asiya Ali
Luigi Mangione’s lawyer has spoken out following the suspected killer’s recent murder charge.
The 26-year-old graduate from the University of Pennsylvania has been linked to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Thompson was fatally shot on December 4 outside the Hilton Hotel in New York City while walking to an insurance conference hosted by his company.
After a McDonald’s employee alerted authorities, Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday (December 9).
The young man was found with a passport and $10,000 in cash – $2,000 of it in foreign currency, per Sky News.
Officer Tyler Frye and a fellow cop responded to the call. They asked Mangione to take off his blue medical mask and “recognized him immediately,” adding: “We didn’t even think twice about it, we knew that was our guy.”
New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica Tisch also added: “Upon further investigation, officers recovered a firearm on his person, as well as a suppressor, both consistent with the weapon used in the murder.
“They also recovered clothing, including a mask, consistent with those worn by our wanted individual,” she continued. “Additionally, officers recovered a handwritten document that speaks to both his motivation and mindset.”
The Ivy League college graduate appeared at Blair County Courthouse the following day (December 10) and spoke to the crowd as he was ushered inside.
“It’s completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people. It’s lived experience,” Mangione yelled.
The 26-year-old has since been charged with second-degree murder, forgery, and three gun charges by prosecutors, and faces extradition back to New York.
He also faces separate charges of carrying a gun without a license, forgery, falsely identifying himself to the authorities, and possessing “instruments of crime”, cited by The Guardian.
Mangione’s lawyer, Thomas Dickey, spoke to reporters about the charges his client is facing and revealed that he hasn’t received any evidence yet.
“We’re going to take a look at stuff and we’re going to fight it tooth and nail,” he told reporters, per a video shared by Sky News. “He’s being accused of some serious matters and I think he’s taking it as well as he can.”
During the hearing, Mangione was denied bail and remanded to Pennsylvania’s Huntingdon State Correctional Institution while he awaits the extradition process.
Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, disclosed that she will sign the Manhattan district attorney’s request for a governor’s warrant to force an extradition “to ensure this individual is tried and held accountable”.
Featured image credit: Jeff Swensen / Getty
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Family of man arrested for murder of CEO Brian Thompson share statement
By James Kay
The family of a man suspected of murdering Brian Thompson have spoken out following his arrest.
As widely reported, Thompson was shot dead in Manhattan, New York on December 4.
Thompson was shot three times on December 4 outside the Hilton Hotel while walking to an insurance conference hosted by his company, per the Guardian.
The New York Police Department confirmed that the suspect had been “lying in wait” for about five minutes before targeting Thompson. Sources revealed that the bullets and casings found at the scene bore inscriptions reading “deny,” “depose,” and “defend.”
What followed was a five-day manhunt for the killer of the UnitedHealthcare CEO, and on December 9, police made an arrest.
Luigi Nicholas Mangione, 26, was apprehended outside a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania following a tip-off from a worker.
Mangione left a series of clues for authorities, including a backpack containing Monopoly money, a jacket, and surveillance footage from locations such as a cab, a Starbucks, and a hostel.
When questioned by police, Mangione reportedly became visibly nervous and started shaking. Officers discovered a 3D-printed black pistol and silencer in his backpack.
Following Mangione’s arrest, his cousin, Baltimore County Delegate Nino Mangione, released a statement expressing shock and dismay, per CNN.
“Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” Nino Mangione said. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved. We are devastated by this news.”
The family declined to comment further, citing limited knowledge of the case beyond media reports.
Mangione, a computer science graduate, hails from a wealthy family in Towson, Maryland. The family owns two country clubs and a radio station.
His last known address was in Honolulu, Hawaii.
When searching him, police also found a supposed manifesto that could shed some light on why the murder happened.
According to the New York Post, the manifesto accused insurance companies of exploiting Americans for profit.
“The reality is, these [companies] have gotten too powerful, and they continue to abuse our country for immense profit,” Mangione allegedly wrote.
The note also allegedly stated that he acted alone and expressed regret for the trauma caused, but claimed his actions “had to be done.”
“Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming,” the manifesto reportedly read, according to police sources.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Mangione hailed from a prominent family involved in real estate and hospitality, as reported by BBC News.
He attended the elite Gilman School, where he was valedictorian of his graduating class.
In a statement, the school described the situation as “deeply distressing.”
Mangione went on to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in computer science from the University of Pennsylvania, where he also founded a video game development club.
Professionally, Mangione worked as a data engineer for TrueCar, a digital auto retailing company, until 2023.
He also held internships with Firaxis, a video game developer, and lived briefly in a surfing community in Hawaii before leaving due to a worsening back injury.
Though Mangione’s own experience with the healthcare system remains speculative, friends say he underwent back surgery and dealt with chronic pain.
His social media featured an X-ray of a spine with pins in it, and his Goodreads account indicated he read books on back pain, including Crooked: Outwitting the Back Pain Industry.
Of greater concern to investigators is Mangione’s review of Industrial Society and Its Future by Theodore Kaczynski, the Unabomber.
In his review, Mangione allegedly acknowledged Kaczynski’s violence but characterized the text as “the work of an extreme political revolutionary.”
Featured image credit: PA Dept. of Corrections
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Police find horrifying ‘manifesto’ on man arrested for murder of CEO Brian Thompson
By James Kay
Following the arrest of a man on suspicion of murdering CEO Brian Thompson, police have found a supposed manifesto.
As you’ve probably seen, a man linked to the shocking murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was arrested yesterday (December 9).
The suspect was apprehended in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after attempting to use a fake ID at a McDonald’s.
Authorities found the man in possession of a gun with a silencer, four fake IDs, and a manifesto, items described as “consistent” with the investigation into Thompson’s killing.
The man has been named as 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, per BBC News.
Brian Thompson, 50, was fatally shot outside the Hilton on Sixth Avenue in Manhattan last Wednesday morning. He had been scheduled to speak at an investors’ conference at the hotel.
Surveillance footage captured the masked gunman calmly approaching Thompson from behind on a crowded sidewalk just before 7:00AM and opening fire with a handgun believed to have been fitted with a silencer.
Thompson was struck multiple times, including in the back and calf. The assailant fled the scene on an e-bike.
Thompson was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that the attack was targeted, per the New York Post.
“Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” Tisch said.
Regarding the manifesto found on Mangione’s person, it allegedly gave an insight into the motivation behind the killing.
According to the New York Post, the manifesto accused insurance companies of exploiting Americans for profit.
“The reality is, these [companies] have gotten too powerful, and they continue to abuse our country for immense profit,” Mangione allegedly wrote.
The note also stated that he acted alone and expressed regret for the trauma caused, but claimed his actions “had to be done.”
“Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming,” the manifesto reportedly read, according to police sources.
A psychiatrist consulted by The Daily Beast, Dr. Carole Lieberman, suggested that the Monopoly money found in the suspect’s bag symbolized his view of UnitedHealthcare as a monopoly exploiting patients.
“I believe the gunman planned to scatter the Monopoly money around the CEO’s body after the shooting but forgot to take it out of his backpack,” Lieberman said.
Retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer added that the crime appeared to have been premeditated and designed to send a message.
“This seems much larger, like a vigilante, somebody who is well prepared to make a big statement and that he blames UnitedHealthcare in this situation,” Coffindaffer told the publication.
Brian Thompson, a father of two, had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare since 2021 and earned nearly $10 million in 2022, according to reports. His sudden death has sent shockwaves through the healthcare and business communities.
UnitedHealth Group issued a statement describing Thompson as “a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him.” Flags at the company’s Minnetonka, Minnesota, headquarters were flown at half-staff in his honor.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called Thompson’s death “a terrible loss for the business and healthcare community.”
Featured image credit: PA Dept. of Corrections
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Person of interest arrested over the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
By stefan armitage
A person of interest connected to the brazen, execution-style murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was arrested on Monday (December 9).
Per the New York Post, law enforcement sources say the man was taken into custody after being arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
The man, who has yet to be identified, was taken into custody after allegedly attempting to use a fake ID at a McDonald’s. Authorities say he was found with a gun, silencer, four fake IDs, and a manifesto, items described as “consistent” with the investigation into the high-profile slaying.
The NYPD is working to confirm the suspect’s identity as investigators piece together the chilling case. A tip led local police to the suspect, who was detained as New York detectives traveled to Pennsylvania to continue the investigation.
A Targeted Killing
Brian Thompson, 50, was fatally shot outside the Hilton on Sixth Avenue in Manhattan last Wednesday morning, where he was scheduled to speak at an investors’ conference.
Surveillance footage captured the masked gunman calmly approaching Thompson from behind on the crowded sidewalk and opening fire with what appeared to be a handgun equipped with a silencer, shortly before 7:00AM.
Thompson was struck multiple times, including in the back and calf, before the assailant fled the scene on an e-bike. He was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that Thompson was deliberately targeted, stating: “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target.”
A Case Full of Clues
The investigation revealed cryptic and unsettling details, including bullets recovered from the scene inscribed with the words “deny,” “depose,” and “defend.”
The markings are believed to be a grim nod to a 2010 book titled Delay, Deny, Defend by Jay Feinman. The potential connection to the book – which critiques the insurance industry’s tactics to avoid accountability for patient claims – has sparked speculation that the shooting was meant as a symbolic act of vengeance.
Additionally, officers scouring the surrounding area for leads on Friday uncovered a discarded backpack in Central Park, thought to belong to the suspect. Inside the bag? A jacket and stacks of Monopoly money.
Video footage uncovered during the investigation provided a clear image of the suspect’s face and suggested he may have been staying at an Upper West Side hostel before the murder.
Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, revealed that the family had received threats related to his position as the head of America’s largest private health insurer. “There had been some threats,” she told NBC News, adding: “I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.”
Law enforcement sources confirmed that UnitedHealthcare had informed investigators about these threats, which may have been tied to Thompson’s role overseeing a company with significant influence over healthcare access.
A Reverberating Loss
Thompson, a father of two, was promoted to CEO of UnitedHealthcare in 2021 and earned nearly $10 million in 2022, according to reports.
His death sent shockwaves through the business and healthcare communities. The investors’ conference was abruptly halted as attendees fled in panic and tears.
UnitedHealth Group issued a statement expressing profound grief at Thompson’s death, describing him as “a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him.” Flags at the company’s headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota, were flown at half-staff.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also expressed condolences, calling Thompson’s death “a terrible loss for the business and health care community.”
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to unravel the motive behind the shocking murder. It is unclear whether the $10,000 reward offered for information leading to the suspect’s capture has been claimed.
Authorities have urged the public to come forward with any information that could help identify the shooter. Anyone with information is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
