Moments after his arrest at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s, Luigi Mangione was found with a loaded gun magazine concealed in underwear inside his backpack by a police officer. This discovery, detailed in court on Monday, led Altoona police to believe he was the suspect wanted for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City five days prior.
During a pretrial hearing, Officer Christy Wasser, a 19-year veteran of the Altoona police force, testified about finding the magazine and other incriminating evidence, such as a 9mm handgun and a notebook, in Mangione’s possession. Mangione’s defense argues that the evidence should be excluded as the police lacked a search warrant and did not have exigent circumstances to justify a warrantless search. Prosecutors, on the other hand, argue that the search was lawful and that a warrant was later obtained.
Mangione, who has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal murder charges, appeared in good spirits during the hearing. The arrest in Altoona followed a nationwide manhunt after a 911 call reported a customer resembling the suspect at the McDonald’s. Prosecutors claim that the handgun found matches the weapon used in Thompson’s killing and that the writings in the notebook reveal Mangione’s anti-health insurer sentiments and plans to target a CEO at an investor conference.
The bag search conducted by Wasser at the McDonald’s revealed various items before the discovery of the gun and notebook, leading to a subsequent inventory search at the police station. A prosecutor from Blair County testified that a search warrant was later obtained to legitimize the evidence collection, allowing it to be transferred to New York City detectives.
Despite the prosecution’s characterization of the killing and the notebook content, the judge cautioned against using prejudicial terms during the trial. The case continues to unfold as both sides present their arguments in court.