Luigi Mangione charged with the murder of healthcare CEO Brian Thompson

A man has been charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Luigi Mangione was arrested on Monday (9 December) after an employee in a Pennsylvania McDonald's identified Mangione, who was found with items linking him to the murder, such as a gun, mask and writings.

The 26-year-old from Maryland was taken into custody around 9.15am and is currently held without bail in Pennsylvania.

He has also been charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police.

Luigi Mangione, 26, has been charged with murder (PA/Department of Corrections)

Thompson, 50, was brutally shot outside the Hilton Hotel on Sixth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan by a masked man 'lying in wait for several minutes' last Wednesday.

At around 6:46 am local time, the CEO was shot at least once in the back and once in the calf before he was taken to hospital and pronounced dead.

'Deny', 'depose' and 'defend' were engraved on the live rounds and shell casings left behind from the silent gun.

The suspected shooter fled the scene with the help of an e-bike in Central Park, ditching it around 7.00am near 85th Street.

Police find major clues in Central Park

Officers have been checking the park for any possible clues and found what is believed to be his bag there on Friday, which included Monopoly money, sparking a major theory.

Based on all the evidence, police have suspected it as being a 'targeted attack'.

Mayor Eric Adams said: "He matches the description of the identification we've been looking for. He's also in possession of several items that we believe will connect him to this incident.

"How did we do it? Good old fashioned police work."

Luigi Mangione has been charged with Brian Thompson's murder (Altoona Police Department via Getty Images)

Luigi Mangione arrested at McDonald's

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica Tisch said a McDonald's employee got in touch after seeing a man who looked like the suspect.

"The suspect was in a McDonald's and was recognized by an employee who then called local police," she said.

"Responding officers questioned the suspect, who was acting suspiciously and was carrying multiple fraudulent IDs, as well as a U.S. passport.

"Upon further investigation, officers recovered a firearm on his person, as well as a suppressor, both consistent with the weapon used in the murder.

"They also recovered clothing, including a mask, consistent with those worn by our wanted individual.

"Additionally, officers recovered a handwritten document that speaks to both his motivation and mindset."

UnitedHealth Group has since thanked law enforcement in a statement, after a company spokesperson said: "Our hope is that today’s apprehension brings some relief to Brian’s family, friends, colleagues and the many others affected by this unspeakable tragedy."

Mangione attended an elite Baltimore prep school, graduating as valedictorian in 2016, according to the school’s website.