The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4 prompted a national discussion on healthcare costs that included outcry from lawmakers and support for the shooting from frustrated consumers.
It also prompted a days-long search for the shooter, which ultimately led to the arrest of 26-year-old Luigi Mangione at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s.
Mangione was charged with state-level crimes in New York and Pennsylvania, which included charges of murder as an act of terrorism. He was later charged with federal crimes that make the death penalty possible if Mangione is convicted. Thomas Dickey, an attorney representing Mangione in Pennsylvania, has said his client intends to plead not guilty to his charges.
Misinformation surrounding the shooting and Mangione have swirled in the weeks since Thompson's death. Here’s a roundup of checks from the USA TODAY Fact Check Team:
Our rating: Altered
The images do not show Mangione's manifesto. The NYPD had not released the suspected shooter's manifesto as of Dec. 17, and the details provided by the police don't match up with the document shown in the post. The real manifesto is shorter and handwritten.
Full fact check: Viral images don’t show Luigi Mangione’s manifesto, which was handwritten
Our rating: False
Presidents can only pardon individuals for federal crimes. Mangione is not eligible for a presidential pardon because he has only...
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