Luigi Mangione was charged with murder as an act of terrorism. Here's what that means.
Luigi Mangione was charged with an act of terrorism "for the brazen, targeted and premeditated shooting of Brian Thompson," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said on Tuesday.
Luigi Mangione, the man accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder, including a count of murder in the second degree as an act of terrorism, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced.
The second-degree murder as an act of terrorism was charged "for the brazen, targeted and premeditated shooting of Brian Thompson," Bragg said earlier this month. "In its most basic terms," Braggs said the crime, "was a killing that was intended to evoke terror."
Thompson, 50, was fatally shot on the morning of Dec. 4 in Midtown Manhattan, which led to a week-long manhunt, which ended in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where Mangione was spotted at a McDonald's.
Mangione, 26, also faces several other charges. He is expected to appear in court on Thursday in Pennsylvania for a preliminary hearing, followed by an extradition hearing, Bragg said.
What is the terrorism charge Mangione is facing?
Mangione's indictment accuses him of being in violation of New York Penal Law 490.25 for terrorism.
A person is guilty of a crime of terrorism when there is intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of government by intimidation or coercion, or affect the conduct of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping, according to the New York State Unified Court System. The FBI defines domestic terrorism the same.
The penalties for acts of terrorism vary, depending on the corresponding charges. Bragg said Mangione faces up to life in prison for the first-degree murder and 25 years to life for the second-degree charges.
First-degree murder vs. second-degree murder
In New York, first-degree murder charges can be applied in cases involving the intentional killing of a police officer or another authority, the torcher of the victim, or if the killing was conducted "in furtherance of an act of terrorism," among other factors.
Second-degree murder charges, which are less severe, can also apply to some intentional killings, or if a defendant "recklessly engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to another person" that results in the person's death, among other factors.
This story was updated with new information.
Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, Jay Cannon
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at Paste BN. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.