Luigi Mangione, who has pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges in connection with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, viewed himself as a "Robin Hood-like hero" and expressed pride when the company's stock price declined, a former inmate claims. Linus Fu, who was incarcerated at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center from January 2025 to July 2026, told Courthouse News that he developed a close relationship with Mangione, 28, during his time in the facility's intake wing.
Mangione pleaded guilty last week to two federal stalking counts related to the Dec. 4, 2024, shooting of Thompson on a Midtown street. Each count carries a potential life sentence.
Fu, who has since returned to China, stated that while some inmates found Mangione aloof, he believed Mangione saw himself as a heroic figure. Fu recalled Mangione smiling when he learned that UnitedHealthcare's stock had dipped following the shooting. "He was smiling," Fu said, describing the only occasion they discussed the case. When Fu questioned if Mangione sought attention, the admitted killer reportedly denied it, saying, "I didn't do that for the fame." Fu interpreted this as an admission of guilt, adding, "He basically admitted he did it."
Despite Mangione's quiet demeanor, Fu characterized him as humorous, recounting instances of Mangione playing pranks and signing birthday cards for their wives. "He's a funny guy. He always jokes," Fu said. "He's young, he's creative."
Mangione was in the Metropolitan Detention Center's intake unit for his protection. He and Fu bonded over shared interests in education and literature. Fu noted that many people sent Mangione books and magazines, though he found travel magazines to be an odd choice given Mangione's incarceration. Supporters also subscribed Mangione to The New York Times, which he passed on to Fu to help him improve his English, Fu said.
Following Mangione's federal guilty plea, his state murder trial, which had been scheduled to begin next month, has been postponed indefinitely. Justice Gregory Carro has pushed Mangione's next court appearance to Dec. 10. Mangione's legal team is seeking to have the state case dismissed, arguing that a trial would constitute double jeopardy in light of the federal plea.