Mangione pleads guilty in federal case, says he shot UnitedHealthcare CEO in the back

Luigi Mangione admitted to shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as he pleaded guilty Friday to two federal stalking counts, marking a dramatic turn of events in the high-profile killing.

Thompson’s family spoke out in a rare statement Friday, calling the plea an “important step toward justice,” as Mangione’s attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the charges he’s facing in state court under New York’s double jeopardy law. 

In the federal courtroom Friday, Mangione outlined his crime, saying, “After years of enduring severe pain from a broken back … I learned UnitedHealth would be holding an investor conference in New York City.”

“I then researched the event online. I observed the annual conference of America’s largest healthcare organization with the stated mission to make the healthcare system better for everyone,” he said.

Mangione said he learned the exact location of UnitedHealthcare’s conference by emailing the company, posing as an investor with more than $50 million in capital.

“I traveled to New York and emailed UnitedHealthcare with the intent to kill Brian Thompson … I shot Mr. Thompson in the back,” he said, adding, “I knew what I was doing was illegal.”

Mangione pleaded guilty to both stalking counts and U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett accepted the plea. His sentencing is set for Dec. 18.

As Mangione spoke, members of Thompson’s family, including his wife and mother, sat in the front row of the courtroom, marking the first time they appeared in court. Thompson’s wife often leaned forward to watch Mangione respond to the judge’s questions, and when prosecutors outlined their evidence of the crime, she wiped away tears.

Before Mangione admitted his guilt, Garnett asked Mangione if he understood that he’d give up his right to a trial if he pleaded guilty, and Mangione responded yes.

Garnett told Mangione a guilty plea would expose him to a possible life sentence. 

“Do you understand that?” the judge asked, and Mangione replied, “yes.”

There is no plea agreement between Mangione and the federal government, the judge confirmed. Mangione affirmed he was promised nothing and was not threatened or coerced.

Prosecutors in court outlined what would have been evidence at trial, including footage of the shooting and Mangione fleeing the scene.

Thompson’s family said in a statement Friday, “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.” With more proceedings to come, the Thompsons added, “we will continue to seek the justice Brian deserves.”

The guilty plea could complicate Mangione’s murder prosecution in state court, where trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 8. His federal trial had been set for Jan. 5.

Mangione’s defense attorneys filed a motion in state court on Friday to dismiss the state charges under New York’s double jeopardy law. 

“New York law does not permit a person to be prosecuted and punished twice for the exact same crime under a statute that governs successive prosecutions,” defense attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo told reporters after Friday’s hearing.

Mangione has “accepted full responsibility for the death of Brian Thompson,” she said, adding, “he’s being prosecuted twice for the same conduct.”

Mangione “endured years of severe, debilitating pain following a broken back, while struggling to navigate our healthcare and health insurance systems,” she said. “Like the thousands of people who have reached out since this tragedy to share their own experiences, he believed that the system had failed him and destroyed his life.”

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said earlier it was prepared to move forward with the state case, arguing stalking and murder address different harms.

The DA’s office said in a statement Friday, “While federal sentencing is pending, we are prepared to litigate the defense motions.” The DA’s office said it “remains committed to seeking justice for Mr. Thompson and his family.”

Several of Mangione’s supporters appeared emotional during Friday’s hearing, with one woman wiping away tears after he entered his plea. Others sat with their mouths agape, appearing shocked. 

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jamie McDonald said after court, “No grievance, political belief or ideological cause can ever justify murder.”

“Any person who celebrates, encourages, or excuses actions like these is fundamentally wrong,” McDonald said. “Mangione attempted to send a public message through violence, but the message that emerges today is very different.” 

Executives from UnitedHealthcare also attended Friday’s hearing. The company said in a statement, “Brian Thompson’s life was cut short by an act of violence that devastated everyone who knew and loved him. We are grateful to law enforcement for bringing Brian’s murderer to justice, and our thoughts remain with Brian’s family and loved ones.”

Thompson was killed on Dec. 4, 2024, in Midtown Manhattan, and Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania after a five-day manhunt. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced that Mangione was indicted on first-degree murder charges on Dec. 17, 2024, and federal prosecutors announced separate charges of stalking and murder on Dec. 19, 2024. Mangione pleaded not guilty in the separate state and federal cases.

The charges in both cases narrowed over the last year. In the federal case, Garnett in January threw out the murder and firearm charges, leaving two counts: stalking — travel in interstate commerce and stalking — use of interstate facilities.

In the state case, Judge Gregory Carro last September dismissed the first-degree murder and terrorism charges. In the state case, Mangione is still charged with murder in the second-degree, criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second-degree, and multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second-degree, third-degree and fourth-degree.

ABC News’ Emily Shapiro and Tonya Simpson contributed to this report.