Federal prosecutors are looking into whether to charge Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of United Healthcare’s CEO, two sources familiar with the matter told NBC News on Wednesday.
If federal charges are filed, the New York state murder case against Mangione would have priority, the sources said.
Mangione, 26, was indicted Tuesday on first-degree murder and other charges in the targeted killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who authorities said was shot from behind as he walked on a Manhattan sidewalk on Dec. 4.
New York police said Mangione targeted Thompson, possibly because of the size of the private health insurance company he led. United Healthcare is the largest private health insurer in the United States.
Mangione was indicted on a charge of first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism, in addition to counts of second-degree murder and other counts.
In New York, a first-degree murder charge needs a special circumstance beyond intent, like the killing of a witness, being a murder for hire, the killing of a police officer or the killing of someone in furtherance of terrorism.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Tuesday that the ambush killing of Thompson was
Man accused in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing expected to appear at hearing on extradition to New York
