Michigan employee allegedly stabs boss in suspected 'copycat' of UnitedHealth CEO killing

Michigan employee arrested for allegedly stabbing boss in possible ‘copycat’ of UnitedHealth CEO case.

A Michigan man is accused of stabbing the president of his company in what authorities are investigating as a potential "copycat" attack inspired by the recent execution-style killing of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson, police said.

The victim, Erik Denslow, who leads the Muskegon-based manufacturing firm Anderson Express Inc., was attacked during a staff meeting in the company’s office on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Fruitport Township Police Department.

While police did not officially name Denslow as the victim, his identity was later confirmed by local outlets News 8 and Fox 17. He remains hospitalized in critical condition, though authorities say he is expected to recover.

Nathan Mahoney, a 32-year-old employee of the company, has been arrested in connection with the incident. Local media outlets identified him based on information from police and court records.

Deputy Police Chief Greg Poulson told News 8 that investigators have yet to determine a motive but are considering the possibility that the attack was a “copycat” of the December 4 fatal shooting of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan.

“I think that comes to everyone’s mind in this time. We’re going through all his social accounts, all his electronic media and trying to determine a motive for this act,” Poulson told the outlet.

Mahoney was arraigned on Wednesday on charges of assault with intent to murder and fleeing from police, as reported by People magazine.

He is currently being held on a $500,000 bond for the assault charge and a $1,000 bond for fleeing the police.

Authorities stated that Denslow was stabbed "in the side with a knife," and the suspect fled the scene in his vehicle immediately after the attack.

Police apprehended Mahoney approximately 15 minutes after the stabbing.

Colleagues of Mahoney described him as having a “quiet demeanor” at work, according to police.

Denslow, who has been with Anderson Express Inc. for less than two years, was promoted to president within a year of being hired, as indicated by his LinkedIn profile.