What is an "act of terrorism"? Exploring Luigi Mangione's indictment as prosecutors charge him in Brian Thompson's shooting

Luigi Mangione, the man accused of the December 4 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has been charged with murder as an act of terrorism. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced Magione's indictment on Tuesday, December 17, afternoon during a press conference.

Mangione was charged with one count of first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism and two counts of second-degree murder, with one of the counts accusing him of killing Thompson as an act of terrorism. In New York, first-degree murder charges are usually reserved for killing law enforcement officers, a judge, a first responder, or if the killing involves a murder-for-hire or the killer has an intent to commit terrorism.

Meanwhile, an act of terrorism, when paired with a murder charge, is defined in New York law, per The New York State Senate Penal Law section 490.05, as a dangerous and violent act that intends to "intimidate or coerce a civilian population," "influence the policies of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion," or "affect the government's conduct of a unit by murder, assassination, or kidnapping."

To prosecute Luigi Mangione on murder charges with an act of terrorism, prosecutors will have to prove the above stipulations, which were also noted in his indictment, without any reasonable doubt.

At the presser, Bragg described Luigi Mangione killing Thompson on a midtown Manhattan street as a "killing that was intended to evoke terror. And we've seen that reaction."

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Manhattan DA says that Luigi Mangione's murder of Brian Thompson was a "frightening, well-planned, targeted murder"

During the December 17 press conference, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg provided insight on Brian Thompson's killing. He noted that the murder happened early on a workday and in an area that commuters, businesspeople, and tourists alike frequented, which threatened their safety. He further mentioned:

"This was a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation."

Bragg also mentioned at the presser that the incident wasn't an ordinary killing, saying:

"This was not an ordinary killing. Not to suggest that any killing is ordinary, but this was extraordinary."

New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch was also at the presser and talked about the investigation since Brian Thompson's killing. She mentioned that authorities have seen a "shocking and appalling celebration of cold-blooded murder" and that "social media has erupted with praise" for Luigi Mangione's alleged "cowardly attack." Tisch further called those celebrations vile and reckless, saying:

"It was a cold and calculated crime that stole a life and put New Yorkers at risk. We don't celebrate murders and we don't lionize the killing of anyone, and any attempt to rationalize this is vile, reckless, and offensive to our deeply held principles of justice."

Tisch also applauded the NYPD investigators during the presser, saying they had worked relentlessly to identify the suspect. She further expressed gratitude towards the Manhattan DA's office for "bringing the case forward," adding that the case "highlights the critical role of the public in the NYPD's public safety mission."

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In addition to multiple murder charges, Luigi Mangione is also facing lesser felonies, including two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, four counts of the same in the third degree, and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. He's also facing one count of criminal possession of a forged instrument in a second degree.