Pennsylvania Dem Gov Shapiro Slams UnitedHealthcare Executive Murder Suspect: 'Coward, Not Hero'

Pennsylvania Democratic Alliance Gov. Josh Shapiro has released a statement from the suspect accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Shapiro lashed out at the suspect, Luigi Nicholas Mangione, 26, in his remarks at a press conference Monday after Mangione was arrested at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

“The suspect here is a coward, not a hero,” said Shapiro.

The governor spoke out against “vigilante justice” and reprimanded those who have praised the killing of Thompson in the “dark corners” of the internet.

LUIGI MANGIONE, SUSPECTED CEO OF UNITEDHEALTHCARE KILLER, CHARGED FOR MURDER IN NEW YORK.

“In America, we don't kill people outright to settle policy differences or make a point,” Shapiro said.

He said this a few hours after the manhunt for Thompson's killer has been going on for six days at McDonald's in Altoona.

ARRESTED IN PENNSYLVANIA MCDONALD'S UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO.

Gov. Josh Shapiro arrives at a press conference regarding the arrest of Luigi Mangione in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. (David Dee Delgado of Fox News Digital)

Mangione, a 26-year-old software developer, was arrested by Altoona Police Officer Tyler Frye after a McDonald's employee and customer spotted the suspect on wanted posters.

When the police approached Mangione – who was wearing a mask and bandana and working on a laptop in the back of the restaurant – and asked him to remove the covering from his face, they realized that he was a suspect wanted for questioning in Thompson's murder.

WHO IS LUIGI MANGIONE, ALLEGED IN THE UNITEDHEALTHCARE MURDER?

Luigi Mangione was taken into custody in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Monday morning in connection with the manslaughter of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson in New York City. (Luigi Mangione/Facebook)

During that time, he allegedly provided a fake ID, gave a fake name and “got silent and started moving” when asked if he had just been to New York.

He was said to be in possession of documents criticizing the health industry, and a ghost gun similar to the one believed to have been used to kill Thompson.

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Altoona police initially arrested Mangione on charges unrelated to Thompson's murder – illegal possession of a firearm, giving false information to police and forgery.

He has been charged with murder in New York, according to online court records.

Fox News Digital's Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.