While Luigi Mangione – the 26-year-old suspect in the murder of 50-year-old UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson – was indicted Tuesday in New York, it seems that a significant portion of Gen Z believe his alleged actions were acceptable.
An Emerson College Polling national survey of 1,000 registered voters conducted from Dec. 11 through Dec. 13 found that 41% of voters aged 18 to 29 find the killer’s actions acceptable. That included 24% who thought those actions were somewhat acceptable and 17% who believed they were completely acceptable.
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More than 20% of those age 30 to 39 also believed that the killer’s actions were acceptable, with 13% who said they were somewhat acceptable and 10% who thought they were completely acceptable. This sentiment dropped to 13% for the 40 to 49-year-old cohort. Voters aged 50 to 59 were the least likely to find the killer’s actions acceptable at just 8% and 10% of voters aged 60 to 69 as well as voters over age 70 believed the actions were acceptable.
Reports have linked Mangione to a manifesto criticizing the health care industry, sparking some sympathy in many who have had struggles with the industry. In the wake of the shooting memes about his good looks also went viral.
Overall, a majority of voters (68%) think the actions of the killer were unacceptable and 17% find his actions acceptable. Democrats were more likely to find the killer’s actions acceptable at 22% compared to Republicans at 12% and independents at 16%. Men were also more likely to find them acceptable at 19% compared to women at 14%.
Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said that the results demonstrate “shifting societal attitudes among the youngest electorate and within party lines.”
According to the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., Mangione has been charged with: one count of Murder in the First Degree, in furtherance of terrorism; two counts of Murder in the Second Degree, one of which is charged as killing as an act of terrorism; two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree; four counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree; one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree; and one count of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree.
Mangione allegedly shot Thompson dead outside of the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan at approximately 6:45 a.m. Dec. 4 with a 9-millimeter 3D-printed ghost gun equipped with a silencer and was arrested Dec. 9 in an Altoona, Pa., McDonald’s after a days-long manhunt. Two of the discharged shell casings from the shooting had the words “DENY” and “DEPOSE” written on them, and the word “DELAY” was written on a bullet, all found at the scene, said the Manhattan DA.
“This type of premeditated, targeted gun violence cannot and will not be tolerated, and my office has been working day in and day out to bring the defendant to justice” Bragg said in a Tuesday statement. “I want to extend my heartfelt prayers to Mr. Thompson’s loved ones as they continue to grieve.”
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