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Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old former Ivy League pupil accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is at the moment being held in federal custody on the Metropolitan Detention Heart in Brooklyn.
Luigi Mangione, the suspect within the homicide of UnitedHealth Group government Brian Thompson | Picture/AP
After UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down exterior a lodge in New York Metropolis early on December 4, individuals flooded social media with celebratory posts and even shared grievances over denied medical health insurance claims. Many shockingly celebrated his homicide suspect, Luigi Mangione, as a hero, a star and a crush. In response to this “narratives of hate” development, US Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated that not solely it’s “terribly alarming” but in addition identified the troubling development of how individuals are normalising violence and glorifying extremism.
“The rhetoric on social media following that, that homicide is awfully alarming. It speaks of what’s actually effervescent right here on this nation, and sadly we see that manifested in violence, the home violent extremism that exists,” Mayorkas instructed Margaret Brennan throughout an look on CBS Information present “Face the Nation”.
Mayorkas additional expressed concern over the “heroism” attributed to Mangione, saying, “I nonetheless am alarmed, although, by the heroism that’s being attributed to an alleged assassin of a father of two youngsters on the streets in New York Metropolis.”
“We’ve seen private grievances within the language of violence, accompanying or being part of these narratives,” Mayorkas additional expressed.
When requested if Mangione may very well be categorised as a terrorist, Mayorkas declined to remark.
How did social media react to Brian Thompson’s homicide?
The homicide of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson triggered a polarising response on social media.
“Sending prior authorisation, denied claims, collections & prayers to his household,” wrote one social media person in response to the CEO’s homicide, mocking the hurdles confronted by sufferers.
Learn| UnitedHealthcare CEO’s Homicide Shocks The World And The Web Isn’t Holding Again
One other stated, “I’m sorry. Prior authorisation is required for ideas and prayers.”
“I can’t even fake to care. I hope he’s trying up at us,” expressed a 3rd.
A fourth posted, “It’s loopy what my first thought was after which I take a look at the feedback and realise I’m not alone in my ideas.”
“I simply can’t discover the care. Possibly in the event that they ask for preapproval of my care. Then after they care their required deductible, I would be capable to complement some care,” wrote yet one more social media person with a touch of sarcasm and frustration.
‘Justifiable murder’: Web hails Mangione as a hero
Not solely individuals have justified the CEO’s homicide, but in addition celebrated the suspect, Luigi Mangione, as a hero, a star, and even a crush. Merchandise that includes Mangione’s likeness and identify have been up on the market on a number of web sites, together with caps with slogans like “CEO Hunter” printed throughout a bullseye and T-shirts with phrases resembling “FREE LUIGI” and “In This Home, Luigi Mangione Is A Hero, Finish of Story”.
Some even swooned over his photogenic smile and six-pack abs.
Including to the disturbing development, people crowdfunded Mangione’s authorized protection, with some calling the killing a “justifiable murder”.
One donor commented, “Denying healthcare protection to individuals is homicide, however nobody will get charged with that crime.”
Many others echoed the phrase, “Deny, Defend, Depose,” phrases inscribed on the shell casings discovered on the homicide scene.
Additionally Learn| Web ‘Ships’ Suspect Luigi Mangione With Viral Cambridge Tutorial, She Responds
Mangione, a 26-year-old former Ivy League pupil, is at the moment in federal custody on the Metropolitan Detention Heart in Brooklyn, the identical facility the place Sean “Diddy” Combs is reportedly being held. He faces 4 federal expenses, together with firearm offenses, stalking, and the homicide of Thompson. If convicted, Mangione might face the dying penalty.
In response to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Mangione was apprehended after an worker at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania noticed him and alerted authorities. Along with a firearm, police recovered clothes and a masks in step with these worn by the suspect, in addition to a fraudulent New Jersey ID. Tisch revealed that the identical ID was utilized by Mangione to verify right into a New York Metropolis hostel earlier than the capturing.
