Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty Friday to two federal stalking charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, admitting in Manhattan federal court that he planned the attack, traveled across state lines and shot the executive in December 2024.
The 28-year-old faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, with federal sentencing scheduled for Dec. 18.
Thompson’s family described the plea as an important step toward justice while saying they would continue pursuing accountability in other cases.
Mangione told the court he made a gun using a 3D printer and equipped it with a silencer and magazine before traveling to New York.
He said he learned that UnitedHealthcare would hold an investor conference in Manhattan and emailed the company while posing as an investor to obtain information about the event.
Mangione said his actions followed years of severe pain from a broken back and difficulties navigating the health insurance system.
He admitted shooting Thompson, 50, from behind as the executive approached a midtown Manhattan hotel on Dec. 4, 2024.
Mangione had previously pleaded not guilty in both the federal and state cases.
Federal prosecutors said there was no plea deal or incentive for his guilty plea, and they intend to seek a life sentence.
A federal murder charge that had carried the possibility of a death sentence was dismissed earlier.
Mangione still faces eight New York state charges, including second-degree murder, possession of a forged instrument and six weapons counts, with a trial scheduled for September.
After the federal plea, his lawyers moved to have the state prosecution dismissed on double jeopardy grounds, arguing that New York law does not permit punishment twice for the same crime.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office said it would contest the defense motions and remains prepared to pursue the state case.
Mangione was arrested five days after the shooting in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Judges in both proceedings have allowed prosecutors to use a 3D-printed pistol and notebook recovered during his arrest as evidence.
Thompson’s family said it expects the federal court to impose a sentence reflecting the severity of the killing.