Altoona police find gun allegedly used by Luigi Mangione in CEO’s murder during investigation.

One year after the fatal shooting of Brian Thompson, the former CEO of UnitedHealthcare, his accused assassin, Luigi Mangione, is being held at a Manhattan Supreme Court suppression hearing that continues to capture national attention. The incident took place on December 4, 2024, with Mangione now facing serious charges in relation to the case.

Evidence presented in court indicates that a bus ticket in the name of “Sam Dawson” was found on Mangione at the time of his arrest. This ticket showcased a route from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh with an estimated time of arrival shortly after the CEO’s death. Mangione was taken into custody five days after the murder at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he was quietly eating breakfast, nearly 300 miles from the shooting scene.

The focus of the ongoing legal proceedings has been on the admissibility of evidence collected prior to the police obtaining a search warrant. Mangione’s attorneys are arguing that key items, including the alleged murder weapon, his manifesto, and statements he made prior to being informed of his rights, should be excluded from the trial. This legal battle is taking place under the watchful eye of state Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro.

During the hearing, one officer revealed that he encountered Mangione after receiving a tip from a McDonald’s manager who recognized him. Over approximately 13 minutes, the police engaged Mangione in conversation while they conducted a background check on a fraudulent New Jersey driver’s license he produced under the name “Mark Rosario.” The questioning turned more intense once his identity was confirmed as the primary suspect in the high-profile murder case.

Mangione’s defense is leveraging doubts surrounding the police’s concerns about a potential bomb found in his backpack, a matter he initially downplayed during the interaction. Subsequently, a search uncovered a 9-mm 3D-printed pistol, which prosecutors allege links him directly to the crime. Furthermore, notebooks found in his possession suggest premeditation, indicating that he had been planning the attack for an extended period leading up to the shooting.

As the prosecution outlines that Mangione had checked into a hostel in New York City ten days before the homicide, he is asserting his innocence in both state and federal courts. The proceedings are scheduled to resume, as the legal struggle and the public’s interest in this sensational case continue to unfold.