'Hero' Luigi Mangione supporters insist he's being framed

Social media theories on Luigi Mangione

New York detectives say they have enough evidence to prove that Luigi Mangione murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. But despite that, man on social media are hailing him as a hero, with several more even suggesting he was framed.

LOS ANGELES - New York detectives say they have plenty of evidence to prove 26-year-old Luigi Mangione committed the murder of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson.

Some of that evidence includes a gun found in the possession of Mangione and fingerprints from near the scene of the crime that closely link him to the attack.

But many people online are calling him a hero, insisting he is being framed.

Social media reaction to Mangione's arrest

"If you think that all of these are the same person, you might be stupid," one person shared on TikTok.

"The NYPD must be thinking…. 'let's just pin it on this guy and hope the public believes us,'" another chimed in.

In the court of public opinion, many are convinced Mangione is not the same person who killed Thompson.

"I do believe this is a hard hit. I don't know what kind of story they're putting out on it. I can't believe anything that they're saying," one social media user said.

They find it hard to believe that a killer who seems so calculated could suddenly become so careless.

"Now you're telling me they find him in Pennsylvania in a McDonald's lobby with all the evidence on him? Didn't get rid of his gun? His silencer? His fake IDs? And he's got a manifesto just in his pocket? Come on, man," another man added.

People cheer on United Healthcare CEO shooting

Across the internet and on social media, countless people expressed satisfaction or even glee at the murder of CEO Brian Thompson.

Despite the cold-blooded murder he's accused of committing, Mangione has risen to superstar status with merchandise featuring his image.

And also the words "deny," "defend," and "depose' on the shell casings.

And there's more.

A lot of people are idealizing this defendant and this situation because it speaks to their own personal trauma.

Possible outcomes for Mangione

Mary David, a former prosecutor turned legal analyst, says prosecutors have solid evidence against Mangione.

But given the high profile nature of this case and how people feel about him, there is one possible outcome.

"A real possibility here is jury nullification, where jurors find a defendant not guilty, even if they believe that they have committed the crime based on their own sense of morality and feelings of social issues that they want addressed," David said.

Such as reforms in the health care insurance industry.

"My mom was dropped from her health insurance while waiting for a lung transplant," one man shared on social media.

Luigi Mangione sparks social media conspiracy theories

Luigi Mangione has been charged with murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, after being arrested at a Pennsylvania McDonald's. Social media has chimed in both in support of and with conspiracy theories about the alleged killer.

There are millions of similar stories and so much rage that "wanted" posters of health care CEOs are appearing in the streets of New York.

"Yeah, just raise the prices again. What are those idiots going to do? You know, on second thought…" a TikTok user posted.

"Someone just lost a child, a husband, a father. All I'm seeing on social media is just people being happy about it. I am so confused. Can someone please explain this to me?" a woman asked.

In a 2023 Gallup poll, 57% of Americans said they believe the federal government should provide health care coverage for all people in the U.S.

The Source: This story was reported with information from the New York Police Department, social media accounts discussing the arrest of Luigi Mangione, and legal analyst Mary David.

Crime and Public Safety Social Media Viral New York Instastories