All eyes and conversation should’ve been surrounding Luigi Mangione as he landed in New York City — but it seems as if people aren’t too happy with the way the NYPD handled things instead.
As the 26-year-old was extradited from State Correctional Institution in Pennsylvania and transferred to Rikers Island, multiple snapshots of the convicted killer were posted by authorities.
The photos have social media users talking, alright, but they seem to be showing more disdain towards the police than the accused.
People have a lot to say regarding NYPD’s “theatrics” as Luigi Mangione was transferred to Rikers Island
Pictures certainly weren’t lacking as Luigi’s helicopter touched down in the Big Apple, and the NYPD didn’t hesitate to post them all on X.
As seen in the now-viral images, he stood in the middle of 17 cops and other individuals, including Eric Adams, the mayor of New York.
And it appears as if the public isn’t a fan of the appearance of it all.
“Y’all doing too much,” a user on social media scolded.
“Is this a photoshoot or an extradition?” another asked.
A third echoed, “Why are they all there? You need 30 officers to escort him? Is he Hannibal Lector?”
In general, the consensus among the comments was that “this is a weird thing to post.”
“The theatrics are so extra,” penned someone else.
Other readers poked fun at the situation, saying the shots looked like something out of a movie while an X user even edited it into an album cover.
Luigi Mangione’s “perp walk” is going viral after NYPD’s postage of several photos
According to Buzzfeed News, Luigi will be charged in both state and federal courts for the “murder, terrorism, and stalking in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.”
With the grand jury already in possession of the evidence, the state trial is expected to happen first. The federal case — one that may end in the death penalty — will take place after.
The crime, which is currently the center of attention on all media outlets, occurred in a midtown Manhattan hotel in New York on December 4.
Brian Thompson had been set to speak during an investment conference but was shot at 6:45am when approaching the lobby.
Luigi was arrested five days after the incident at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after an employee noted he was “acting suspiciously.”
Reports claim his primary motive for the shooting was the resentment he felt towards the “parasitic” health insurance companies — a huge reason why the public has been so vocal in favor of his release.
#FreeLuigi has become a widespread phrase and hashtag
Many conversations have arisen regarding Luigi’s alleged actions, but a huge percentage of the Internet seems to somewhat agree with what he did.
Murder, as the majority would say, is wrong, and the CEO’s killing has certainly sparked a number of furious talks. But it is near impossible to avoid the discourse on social media that Luigi is a “modern-day hero.”
Apps such as TikTok are filled with edits and discussions that show him in a positive light. Even stores have jumped on the bandwagon, selling T-shirts with phrases that say, “In This House, Luigi Mangione Is A Hero, End Of Story.”
According to CBC, there are a few main reasons why the public may show empathy towards him.
As George Bonanno, a clinical psychology professor at Columbia University’s Teachers College, said, his anger with the healthcare system has been “boiling for some time,” something many Americans can relate to.
“If you’re treated unjustly by the healthcare system, you have no recourse at all… That feeling makes people feel helpless and angry and have desires of doing something,” he stated.
And then enter Luigi — a guy who just “comes along and does it.”
Additionally, the information released on who the 26-year-old is sparked a change of thought for many netizens. To them, he’s just a regular person.
From being the valedictorian of an elite private school who later went on to study at an Ivy League, Luigi is simply “framed as ‘one of us,’” according to Ioana Literat, a communications professor at the same college as Bonanno.
The dramatics of it all reminded netizens of superhero Hollywood movies
