Fresh details are surfacing about the individual linked to the shocking murder of UnitedHealthcare’s Brian Thompson, revealing ties to the gaming industry.
Luigi Mangione, aged 26, was once employed at Firaxis Games, the studio known for Civilization, as confirmed by a spokesperson to Polygon. His LinkedIn profile suggests he interned there as a UI programmer from May 2016 to August 2017, fixing over 300 UI bugs. In that same year, he reportedly founded and led a team called “Upgrade” at the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on game development and research.
After his stint at Firaxis, Mangione seems to have drifted away from game creation in his professional life.
On December 9, a Monday, Mangione was apprehended at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and later accused of Thompson’s murder, which took place in Manhattan on December 4. He remains in Pennsylvania but will soon be moved to New York to face trial.
We can’t help but wonder what drives people to such extreme actions.
A source from law enforcement informed The Associated Press that Mangione had a three-page handwritten note declaring, “I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone.” It also included, “I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites had it coming.”
In court, Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks mentioned Mangione was caught with $10,000, including $2,000 in foreign money. Authorities found a black, 3D-printed gun and a similar suppressor in his backpack. When questioned about being in New York, Mangione reportedly became silent and trembled.
