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26-Year-Old Brian Thompson Shooting Suspect Was Ivy League Valedictorian
2024-12-09
Police have identified a suspect in the tragic killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old, holds a remarkable academic background. He graduated as the class valedictorian from the prestigious Gilman School in Baltimore in 2016 and went on to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree cum laude in engineering and computer and information science from the University of Pennsylvania.
Academic Achievements and School Life
The Gilman School, an all-boys institution, charged an annual tuition of $37,690. Mangione's academic prowess led him to this esteemed position. His journey through college at the University of Pennsylvania was equally impressive, with him taking courses in advanced algorithms, artificial intelligence, computational linguistics, and machine learning. He even founded Penn's first video game development club, UPGRADE, showcasing his innovative spirit.Linkedin Insights
On his LinkedIn page, details of his educational achievements and professional experiences are laid out. It shows his transition from a top student to a data engineer at automotive listing site TrueCar, working from Santa Monica, California. His last known residence before the shooting was in Honolulu, Hawaii.Weapons and Alleged Manifesto
Mangione was spotted at an Altoona, Pa., McDonald's carrying a 9mm “ghost” gun and suppressor, similar to the weapon used in the killing. He also had several fake IDs, including one used to check into a Manhattan hostel. Police described a “manifesto” he was carrying, which detailed his critiques of the American healthcare industry. This raises questions about his motives and actions.Police Investigations and Next Steps
Police believe Mangione is the gunman responsible for the crime. Investigators from the NYPD and Manhattan District Attorney's office are heading to Altoona on Monday afternoon to interview him. This shows the seriousness of the case and the efforts being made to bring justice.