Luigi Mangione has been formally charged with the first-degree murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, in what prosecutors have labelled as “murder as an act of terrorism,” it was announced late on Tuesday. The 26-year-old tech worker rose to global infamy, after being arrested in a McDonalds for the “brazen” murder of the health insurance boss on the streets of New York .

US prosecutors, backed by Governor Kathy Hochul, are seeking to extradite Mangione from his Pennsylvania prison to face trial in a New York court. The state is seeking even more serious charges against the suspected assassin  that could see him spend the rest of his life in prison.

Initially, Mangione faced charges of second-degree murder in Pennsylvania, but these were escalated to one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder, including one as an act of terrorism. During a press conference this afternoon, officials described the crime as a “frightening, well-planned murder”.

Under New York law, such a charge can be brought when an alleged crime is intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence government policies through intimidation or coercion, or affect government conduct through murder, assassination or kidnapping. The District Attorney further highlighted that Mangione could face life imprisonment without parole if convicted of the murder charges.

“This was a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation,” Bragg declared from the podium. “It occurred in one of the most bustling parts of our city, threatened the safety of local residents and tourists alike, commuters and businesspeople just starting out on their day.”

He described the alleged killing as “brazen” and “pre-meditated”, noting that Mangione used a 3D-printed ghost gun and silencer to assassinate Thompson, the Mirror US reports.

Mangione’s New York attorney has not yet made any statements regarding the case. Authorities are currently seeking to extradite Mangione from Pennsylvania, where he is detained on unrelated weapons charges, to New York City to formally face charges for the murder of the 50 year old health executive.

A hearing on this issue is set for Thursday. An official for Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed that the governor will issue an extradition warrant to New York once the indictment against Mangione is filed.

Mangione’s defence team has signalled his intention to plead not guilty to the accusations in both Pennsylvania and New York. Should Mangione be found guilty of the charges in New York, he could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

David Shapiro, a lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, pointed out that if evidence shows Mangione planned the attack months ahead, the charge might be raised to first-degree murder, considering a terrorism aspect.

“Terrorism is defined, basically, as creating, intimidating the civilian population or influencing a government unit to act in a certain way,” Shapiro expounded. Further illuminating on the matter, he noted: “You can easily imagine a set of facts where Mangione was attempting to do the same or did the same. I’m sure there are a host of insurance company executives that are afraid of copycats.”

Currently holed up in SCI Huntingdon—a stone’s throw away from Blair County Courthouse—Mangione sits besieged by an avalanche of charges: unlicensed firearm possession, forgery, handing out fake IDs to law enforcement, and now, to cap it all, the big one from New York—a first-degree terrorism charge.

This 26 year old alumnus of Ivy League academia stands accused of the cold-blooded shooting of Thompson, aged 50, as he headed in the direction of a Manhattan hotel last December 4. This establishment was hosting a conclave for UnitedHealthcare—a giant in the US medical insurance arena.

The attacker, identity obscured under the guise of a mask, executed a clean getaway, pedalling his Citibike through Central Park, then hitching a bus ride to anonymity.

His escape gave rise to rampant speculation—until his eventual capture three days after the high-profile killing. Mangione was caught unmasked and indulging in a hash brown at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

New York police officials said Mangione was carrying the gun used to kill Thompson, a passport, and various fake IDs, including one that the suspected shooter presented to check into a New York hostel when he was stopped by police.

Mangione was charged with Pennsylvania gun and forgery offences upon his arrest, with the investigation adding more serious charges as authorities uncovered more evidence, including a ‘manifesto,’ other writings and rantings, and fingerprint and bullet matches.

Mangione’s lawyer in Pennsylvania has cast doubt on the evidence supporting the forgery charge and questioned the legal basis for the gun charge. The attorney also stated that Mangione would resist extradition to New York. Shortly after his arrest, the Manhattan district attorney’s office filed paperwork charging him with murder, among other offences, which the indictment further substantiates.