Friend remembers suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO murder as video game enthusiast

Luigi Mangione, who was arrested and charged with the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was once a member of an Ivy League gaming group that played a game called “Among Us,” where players are assigned as killers in space. Alejandro Romero, a friend of Mangione, was shocked to hear about his arrest and described how the news spread quickly among their friends. Mangione was arrested at a McDonald’s with a 3D-printed firearm and a handwritten document that indicated his mindset and motivation. In New York, Mangione faces charges including murder, possession of a loaded firearm, possession of a forged instrument, and criminal possession of a weapon. In Pennsylvania, he faces charges related to carrying firearms without a license, forgery, and providing false identification. His family expressed shock and devastation about his arrest, offering prayers for both families involved. Romero described Mangione as a typical college student who did not stand out to him. In 2021, Mangione was more active on social media after years of inactivity, even reviewing the “Unabomber Manifesto” on Goodreads. Romero and others are struggling to understand the changes in Mangione’s online persona and his alleged involvement in the murder. The Ivy League gaming group that Mangione belonged to had drifted apart over time as members pursued different paths.

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