GoFundMe has removed several fundraisers created for Luigi Mangione, the man accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The platform has a strict policy against fundraisers linked to violent crimes.
Meanwhile, the case has stirred up a lot of public controversy, especially after Mangione’s arrest.
The shocking murder captivates the nation
Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was shot and killed on December 4 in Midtown Manhattan. The masked shooter then fled the scene, setting off a six-day manhunt. The search ended when 26-year-old Luigi Mangione was arrested and charged with murder.
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The tragic death divides opinions
Thompson’s death was big news across the country. Some people shared their anger and grief, while others focused on their own frustrations with the U.S. health care system. A few even called the killing justified, sharing stories of being denied medical care.
Fundraisers for Mangione show up online
After Mangione was arrested, people started creating GoFundMe pages to support him. The platform quickly took them down, but it’s unclear how many were created before GoFundMe acted.
GoFundMe explains its policy
A spokesperson from GoFundMe told The Independent: “GoFundMe’s Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers for the legal defense of violent crimes. The fundraisers have been removed from our platform and all donors have been refunded.”
Some fundraisers try to justify their cause
One fundraiser aimed to collect money to ensure Mangione “gets a fair trial.” Another included a description that read: “Legal defense for he who shall not be named wink, wink,” according to Lawyer Herald.
A separate page said: “I am supporting Luigi Mangione. I hope to get him the help he will need in this upcoming trial. He will need all the help he can get, and I hope he can be comfortable dealing with this hardship in life.”
Details of the chilling crime are revealed
The search for Thompson’s killer lasted almost a week. Surveillance footage showed the gunman lying in wait for Thompson outside a Midtown hotel. He stepped out from behind a car and opened fire, hitting Thompson in the back and leg.
Afterward, the gunman escaped on an e-bike through Central Park, then reportedly took a taxi to Port Authority, where police suspected he boarded a bus out of the city.
Investigators uncover key evidence in Central Park
Forensic teams, including scuba divers and K-9 units, scoured Central Park for evidence. Eventually, they found a backpack believed to belong to the suspect. The contents of the bag were sent off for forensic testing.
Viral photos help lead to the suspect’s capture
Images of the masked gunman, as well as photos without the mask, quickly spread across social media. Authorities used the viral images to call for public assistance in tracking him down.
A McDonald’s employee identifies the suspect
Six days after the murder, a McDonald’s worker in Altoona, Pennsylvania, recognized Mangione from the widely circulated photos and alerted authorities. He immediately reported him.
The accused is an Ivy League graduate with a prominent background
On the same day, Mangione, who is an Ivy League graduate and comes from a well-known family in Baltimore, was officially charged with Thompson’s murder.
This case leaves plenty of questions and strong opinions, but one thing’s clear — GoFundMe isn’t budging on its policies.