Luigi Mangione Pleads Guilty, Admits Gunning Down Health Care CEO: ‘I Shot Mr Thompson’

Last Updated:August 14, 2026, 11:16 PM IST

Luigi Mangione admitted to fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan, pleading guilty to stalking. He faces a life sentence.

Luigi Mangione, accused of the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, appears for a pre-trial hearing at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York. (AFP photo)

Luigi Mangione on Friday admitted to shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan, telling a federal judge, “On the morning of December 4, I shot Mr Thompson in Manhattan and he died.”

The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges linked to the killing of Thompson, 50, in December 2024. He is due to be sentenced on December 18, with prosecutors saying they will seek a life sentence.

Mangione Seeks To Drop State Murder Charges

Mangione still faces murder charges in New York state court. His lawyers on Friday asked for those charges to be dismissed, arguing that prosecuting him in both state and federal court for the same conduct would violate double jeopardy protections.

“We just filed our motion in state court, explaining why the state charges must be dismissed under New York’s double jeopardy protections,” his lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo said.

The federal stalking charges and state murder charges could both result in life imprisonment. Two other federal charges that carried the death penalty were dismissed by a judge earlier this year.

Prosecutors said Mangione deserved severe punishment. “There can be no celebrity in assassination,” Jamie McDonald, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said.

Key Questions Answered

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What is the maximum sentence Mangione could receive?

Luigi Mangione could receive a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for the federal stalking charges related to the killing of Brian Thompson. He also faces state murder charges that could result in life imprisonment.

How does double jeopardy apply in this case?

Luigi Mangione’s lawyers argue that prosecuting him in both state and federal court for the same conduct would violate double jeopardy protections. He pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges related to the killing of Brian Thompson and still faces state murder charges.

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