Pennsylvanian who spotted Luigi Mangione at Altoona McDonald's is a "hero," governor says
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The person who spotted Luigi Mangione — the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York — at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, is a "hero," Governor Josh Shapiro said on Monday.
In a joint press conference on Monday night, leaders including Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks and Shapiro provided an update on the case after Mangione was arraigned on several charges unrelated to Thompson's death. According to court documents, Mangione is facing a list of charges that include forgery, firearms not to be carried without a license and false identification to law enforcement authorities.
Mangione was taken into custody after officers were called to a McDonald's on East Plank Road around 9 a.m. on Monday for reports of a person matching the description of the possible suspect in Thompson's shooting on Dec. 4. At the time, he was considered a person of interest in the case.
During Monday's press conference, Shapiro said the person who notified law enforcement "acted as a hero."
"I want to begin by thanking our fellow Pennsylvania resident who acted as a hero today," Shapiro said. "A Pennsylvania resident saw something early this morning at McDonald's and said something to our local police."
Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police said a customer at the McDonald's first noticed Mangione before informing an employee. That employee then called 911.
"The customer recognized, notified an employee and wanted someone to check it out further," Bivens said.
Shapiro said officers with the Altoona Police Department acted "swiftly" on Monday, and he called on the community to come forward with any information related to the investigation.
"I want to ask all of our fellow Pennsylvanians to demonstrate the same type of thoughtfulness, courage and smarts as the individual at McDonald's did this morning, and help law enforcement here in Pennsylvania as we continue with our investigation," Shapiro said.
Jude Hatch lives 10 minutes from the McDonald's on East Plank Road in Altoona. The arrest shocked him.
"It's kind of outlandish," Hatch said. "Like, here of my places. Like, why here?"
I'm big into history," he added. "And this is history. So, I wanted to be here for it."
Shapiro praises officer who helped arrest Luigi Mangione
Shapiro took time during Monday's press conference to commend Officer Tyler Frye with the Altoona Police Department.
Frye, who has been with the department for about six months, and his partner responded to the McDonald's after the 911 call. Frye said as soon as Mangione removed his mask, he "recognized him immediately."
"We didn't even think twice about it," he said. "We knew that was our guy."
"It feels good to get a guy like that off the street, especially starting my career this way," he added. "It feels great."
Shapiro highlighted the relationship between the police department and the Altoona community as a reason for the arrest.
"Safety often turns on the strength of the relationship between the community and law enforcement," he said. "We have that strong relationship here in Altoona, and it was proven here today."
Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, FaceTimed with Frye on Monday, according to a video posted to his X account.
"You took a dangerous person off the street, and we thank you so much," Adams told the rookie police officer.
Adams is a former officer with the New York City Police Department.
Luigi Mangione was in Pittsburgh, officials say
Authorities said on Monday they believe Mangione traveled from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh after the shooting in New York.
"It is likely he was in a variety of locations across the state, to include Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and points in between," Bivens said.
Authorities on Monday did not provide specifics about where or when he was in Pittsburgh.
Spokespersons for the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, Allegheny County Police Department and Pittsburgh Public Safety said they were not involved in the investigation or not notified of Mangione being in Pittsburgh.
In an update on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Pittsburgh Public Safety said it is "believed" Mangione did not "make it to Pittsburgh" on Dec. 4 or "at all" using the Greyhound Bus.
"If any new information comes to light or Pittsburgh Police are asked by our law enforcement partners to participate in the investigation, we will certainly do so," the spokesperson said.
Sources told KDKA-TV's Jennifer Borrasso that Mangione had a bus ticket with Pittsburgh's name on it, but there were no reported sightings of him in the city. State police are still retracing his steps.