Sep 16, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Terrorism charges tossed out in shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO

Andrew Childers

People demonstrate outside Federal Criminal Court where Luigi Mangione, suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, appears during an arraignment hearing on Dec. 23, 2024, in New York City. Photo: Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

A New York court Tuesday tossed out state-level terrorism charges against the suspect in the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City.

The big picture: The suspect still faces second-degree murder charges, but the court said prosecutors presented "insufficient evidence" to warrant terrorism charges under a state law enacted after the 9/11 attacks.

The terrorism charges would require showing shooting suspect Luigi Mangione intended the murder to influence the government or civilian population.

Catch up quick: Mangione is accused of killing Thompson in a broad daylight attack in New York City in December 2024.

In addition to the state charges, Mangione also faces federal murder charges and prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty.
Mangione's defense team in May had sought to dismiss all of the state charges, arguing his rights had been violated and the state has presented insufficient evidence to a grand jury.

Go deeper... Exclusive: Young Americans sympathize more with CEO shooting suspect than victim

Editor's note: The story has been corrected to note that the ruling came from a lower New York state court (not appellate).

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Terrorism charges tossed out in shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO

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