Internet compares Thompson's murder to 'The Joker' and 'Batman' following arrest of Luigi Mangione

A user on X posted 'He has done some real life Joker stuff, engraved bullets monopoly money he knew police would find'
Pop Culture & Art | December 10, 2024

Courtesy: Altoona PD

The arrest of 26-year-old Luigi Mangione in connection with the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has sent shockwaves through social media, with internet users drawing eerie parallels to famous films like Joker and The Batman. 

What started as a routine investigation quickly spiraled into a whirlwind of conspiracy theories, as a seasoned lawyer, David Betras, posted a viral TikTok video questioning whether Mangione is the true killer or if there's more to the story.

Betras, who is known for his expertise and logical reasoning, pointed out several peculiar aspects of the case. 

“I’m no conspiracy theorist,” he began in the viral clip, which has amassed over 300K likes and 25K comments. However, Betras went on to question the suspect's calm demeanor before and after the shooting. He found it odd that a killer, after meticulously planning such a high-profile crime, would be “sloppy” enough to have his face recorded by security cameras. 

“Why would he do that?” Betras asked, referring to Mangione's calmness before the murder.

Adding to the intrigue, Mangione was seen casually leaving his hotel and grabbing a drink at Starbucks hours before the assassination. 

“Someone about to commit a serious crime wouldn't calmly go to Starbucks first,” said Betras, questioning why the suspect would appear so composed. He also noted that the shooter seemed to have intimate knowledge of Thompson’s schedule and access to sophisticated equipment, such as a silencer. 

"Most people that do rage killings… they run, they fire," he remarked. "But this shooter walked away from the scene. That suggests something much colder and more calculated."

This sparked widespread debate online, with users voicing their thoughts on Betras' theory. “You’re creating reasonable doubt; I love it,” one commenter posted, while another said, “I think the guy at Starbucks was a decoy.” A retired forensic investigator even weighed in, agreeing with Betras’ reasoning.

The mystery deepened when Mangione was detained at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, approximately 275 miles from New York City. 

A restaurant employee recognized him and alerted the police. When authorities arrived, they found Mangione in possession of a gun, a fake ID, and a handwritten manifesto expressing "ill will toward corporate America." These details only fueled further speculation about his motivations.

But the most bizarre twist came from social media, where many began drawing comparisons between Mangione’s arrest and the characters of The Joker and The Batman. 

One user on X posted, "He wanted to get caught. This is going to turn out like the Joker, with a very public court case, and the general public supporting the guy."

— Mela Thee Aries ✨🫡 (@MELAJ0) December 9, 2024

Another user added, “Luigi Mangione being led to court. He has done some real-life Joker stuff, engraved bullets in the murder, monopoly money in the bag that he knew police would find, His last name Mangione means binge eater in Italian and he showed his face and got caught because of McDonald's. Plus, the YouTube videos being scheduled to release on Dec 11—it's all a big puzzle tease."

Some even compared Mangione's actions to The Batman's Riddler, with one user suggesting, "Luigi Mangione was in that McDonald's waiting to be caught like the Riddler in The Batman." The bizarre nature of his arrest, combined with his calculated actions and the cryptic elements of his manifesto, has led many to question whether Mangione was truly acting alone or whether he had a much grander plan in mind.

Mangione, a former University of Pennsylvania student, is believed to have been motivated by personal grievances with the healthcare system. 

His arrest has raised even more questions than answers, and as authorities continue their investigation, social media users remain captivated by the unfolding mystery.

Thompson, 50, was tragically shot outside the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan on December 4 while on his way to the company’s annual investor conference. 

Surveillance footage shows the suspect approaching Thompson from behind and firing multiple shots. Mangione, who was caught on camera fleeing the scene, was later identified as the shooter, though internet sleuths continue to speculate on his true role in the crime.

As the investigation progresses, Mangione's case continues to capture public attention, with many comparing it to the iconic films of Gotham City.

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