“Making more of a celebrity out of him”- Internet reacts as suspected CEO’s killer Luigi Mangione flown back to city on NYPD’s $4M spy plane

Luigi Mangione, the alleged killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, arrived in Manhattan on December 19, where he was escorted out of an NYPD helicopter followed by armed federal officers at the Wall Street Heliport in New York City.

The Post’s December 22 report claimed that according to FlightAware records, the $4 million aircraft, which was built specially to search for radioactive weapons, or "dirty bombs," took off from Long Island MacArthur Airport at 8:51 a.m. on December 19 and reached Blair County, Pennsylvania, at 10:24 a.m. the same day.

Armed police officers and federal agents then accompanied Mangione, who is now facing murder charges in a four-count federal criminal complaint ahead of his initial court appearance.

However, once the video went viral, it garnered netizens’ reactions. Many even took to @rawsalerts’s X post and criticized the authorities as they thought that the system was making him unnecessarily famous.

“They’re making more of a celebrity out of him than necessary,” one commented.

On the other hand, others took to @Fabien_Levy’s X post from December 20 to react the exact same way. One said that the NYPD is wasting the taxpayers’ money, and another one said that they are taking the credit that the McDonald’s employee, who reportedly called 911, deserves.

“NYPD did nothing but waste time diving in a fountain while a sharp eyed minimum waged McDonald’s employee found him,” one netizen wrote.

“You mean, thanks to the good work of the McDonald’s employee; right?” asked another one, pointing to the fact that a McDonald’s employee allegedly spotted Luigi and called the employee.

“How much did this police state photo shoot cost NYC taxpayers?” asked another one, sarcastically.

Others also preached to the choir. One netizen said that it was the “weirdest parade” while another one said that they were allegedly treating him like Superman.

“This is the weirdest parade I've ever seen,” claimed another user.

“They managed to make him look even cooler. Astounding stuff, really. 30 to 40 fully armed individuals for one person who is fully chained up like he's Superman or something,” noted one user.

“No matter what system tries, he is already a hero to so many.. System propaganda will not change the minds of millions and millions,” criticised one user.

---

Suspected CEO’s killer Luigi Mangione is in NYC now

Luigi Mangione was in prison but now he is not (Image via Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

On Thursday, December 19, Luigi Mangione, the alleged CEO killer, was flown and flown back to New York to face further federal accusations of stalking and murder, which carry the death penalty if found guilty.

The department's government-sponsored spy plane took him back to the city from Pennsylvania. According to the documents, the upgraded Cessna took off once more with the Ivy Leaguer aboard at approximately 10:49 a.m. and touched down at the Central Islip airfield at 12:08 p.m.

After that, Luigi Mangione was flown to Manhattan. Then, Mangione, wearing an orange jumpsuit, was escorted to the courthouse, where he was flanked by long-armed federal and local agents as well as Mayor Adams.

The jet was the most effective means of transporting Mangione to New York City, according to the NYPD. According to the same Post report, an NYPD spokeswoman stated:

“After considering distance, weather, and the totality of the circumstances, it was determined that flying was the most efficient and safest method to transport the prisoner.”

Luigi Mangione, who was arrested last week in Pennsylvania for the attack on Brian Thompson on December 4, was detained without bail as of Thursday after appearing in federal court in Manhattan.

Mangione was charged by the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg with murder as an act of terrorism, a crime that carries a potential penalty of life in prison without the possibility of release.

He is also accused of possessing a forged identification document and state firearms violations.

Prosecutors said the cases will now move forward simultaneously, with the state charges likely to go to trial first. Meanwhile, following this, Luigi Mangione didn’t say anything as of yet.