WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Tuesday that federal prosecutors have been directed to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, the individual charged in connection with the December 2024 fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Mangione faces several federal charges, including murder through the use of a firearm, which qualifies as a capital offense under federal law.
According to Bondi’s statement, the decision was made after reviewing the nature of the alleged crime, which involved the targeted killing of Thompson outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The incident occurred on December 4, as Thompson was reportedly en route to an investors conference.
Mangione was apprehended five days later in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Federal charges were initially filed in December during the prior administration.
In response to the federal directive, Mangione’s attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, issued a public statement opposing the decision. She described the move as inconsistent with prior prosecutorial recommendations and challenged the rationale behind pursuing capital punishment in this case.
The federal judge presiding over the case previously appointed a death penalty specialist to the defense team in February, signaling the potential for capital litigation.
Mangione has entered a plea of not guilty on related state-level charges. As of now, no plea has been submitted regarding the federal charges. He is scheduled to return to federal court on April 18.
The case continues to draw national attention due to the involvement of high-profile parties and the broader implications for the federal justice system’s approach to violent crime.
