FILE PHOTO: An undated New York City Police Department (NYPD) handout image obtained by Reuters on December 5, 2024, shows an individual wanted for questioning in connection with the killing of UnitedHeatlhcare CEO Brian Thompson, in an unknown location. NYPD/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
America got a slap on the wrist from the Pennsylvania governor Monday evening as authorities announced the arrest of Luigi Mangione on forgery and gun charges stemming from the killing in Manhattan of a health insurance CEO.
Gov. Josh Shapiro on Monday afternoon vowed that "justice will be delivered" in the shooting death of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, who was slain last week outside a hotel. He had been in New York for an annual UnitedHealthcare investors meeting and the shooter fled on a bicycle.
Shapiro thanked a Pennsylvania resident who called in a tip to authorities that led to Mangione's arrest and said that person
"acted as a hero."
"Pennsylvania resident saw something early this morning at McDonald's and said something," he said.
Police acted swiftly, including an officer who made the identification after just six months on the job, Shapiro said.
Shapiro drew a stark contrast between the person who called in the tip and the suspect, who was arraigned and faces charges in New York City.
The governor remarked that the case "hinged on attention." While that attention helped nab the suspect, he noted "some attention in this case — especially online — has been deeply disturbing."
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"Some have looked to celebrate instead of condemning this killer," he said.
Thompson was a husband and father of two, said Shapiro. He was also the CEO of a major health insurer.
"In America, we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint. I understand people have real frustration with our health care system and I have worked to address that throughout my career. I have no tolerance, nor should anyone, for one man using an illegal ghost gun to murder someone because he thinks his opinion matters most."
Shapiro added: "In a civil society, we are all less safe when idealogues engage in vigilante justice. In some dark corners, this killer is being hailed as a hero. Hear me on this: he is no hero."
The real hero, he said, is the person who called 9-11 at McDonald's, as well as the people who don uniforms and keep people safe.
"This killer is not a hero. He should not be hailed," Shapiro said before calling for Americans not to dehumanize Thompson.
Listen to Shapiro's comments below or at this link.