Luigi Mangione pleads guilty and reveals why he shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to federal charges linked to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and used his courtroom statement to explain why he targeted the executive.

Mangione, 28, admitted in Manhattan Federal Court on Friday, August 14, to one count of interstate stalking resulting in death and one count of stalking through the use of interstate facilities resulting in death. Thompson, 50, was shot in New York City on December 4, 2024, as he was heading to a conference.

Mangione said his own experience with severe back pain and his struggles with the health insurance system played a role in his decision.

Luigi Mangione explains why he targeted Brian Thompson

"After years of enduring severe pain from a broken back, navigating the obstacles of the health insurance system and witnessing similar experiences of countless others," Mangione told the court, he learned that UnitedHealthcare would hold its annual investor conference in New York City.

He said the event was expected to bring together company executives, board members and hundreds of investors.

Mangione said he searched for information about the conference even though its exact location had not been publicly disclosed.

He then explained how he obtained more information.

"In November of 2024, I traveled from outside of New York State to Manhattan. I then emailed UnitedHealthcare leadership posing as an investor at a firm managing over $50 billion in assets and requesting information about the conference," he said.

The company responded within an hour, according to Mangione.

Mangione describes his plan before Brian Thompson shooting

Mangione also told the court that he prepared a weapon before traveling to New York.

"Before traveling to New York, I used a 3-D printer to make part of a gun, and I equipped the gun with the silencer and magazine," he said.

He added that his trip to New York and his email to UnitedHealthcare were made with the intention of shooting Thompson.

Mangione then directly acknowledged what happened on December 4, 2024.

"On the morning of December 4, 2024, I shot Mr Thompson in Manhattan and he died," he said. "When I did so, I understood that my actions would place him in fear of death or serious bodily injury. I knew what I was doing was illegal."

The federal charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 18.

Mangione faces federal sentencing after guilty plea

There is no formal plea deal. The judge told Mangione that federal sentencing guidelines call for roughly 24 to 30 years in prison, while stressing that she is not required to follow that range.

Federal prosecutors have said they will seek the maximum sentence.

Brian Thompson's family reacts to Mangione guilty plea

The Thompson family, who saw Mangione face-to-face for the first time during the hearing, welcomed the guilty plea while saying the legal process is not over.

"Today's guilty plea marks an important step toward justice for Brian and for our family," the family said. "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."

The family also noted that additional proceedings in New York and Pennsylvania remain.

Mangione is due to face a state trial on charges of murdering Thompson next month. His lawyers immediately filed a motion seeking dismissal of the state charges, arguing that New York's double jeopardy laws should apply.

His attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, said Mangione has been "unfairly treated since the outset" and argued that he has faced simultaneous prosecutions in two jurisdictions over the same conduct.

"He's been treated differently from every other defendant charged with this offense in New York," she said.