Mike Baker, Mike Isaac, and Aric Toler review archived content found by other Reddit users:
The man charged in the killing of the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare reported in online writings over a period of years that he had been navigating a series of life-altering health problems.
In posts on a Reddit account, the man, Luigi Mangione, said back pain that had once been a minor issue in his life grew more extreme in 2022 after he went surfing, then grew worse again a few weeks later when he slipped on a piece of paper.
He reported persistent problems, including pain when he sat down, twitching leg muscles, and numbness in his groin and bladder.
He shared details that friends have corroborated, writing that he had a spinal fusion surgery in July 2023. He wrote that within days he did not need pain meds and could sit, stand and walk just fine.
[...] The suspect’s comment history on Reddit gives other clues to his personal life and pursuits. He was an active commenter in the OneBag subreddit, a community that “promotes urban travel with the philosophy of carrying less” and focuses on different types of backpacks and travel gear.
Photos released by the New York Police Department of the gunman in the UnitedHealthcare shooting showed what its maker identified as a backpack by Peak Design, a brand that was widely discussed in the OneBag subreddit.
The suspect also posted to the Magfest subreddit, a community dedicated to a gaming subculture and festival held annually in Maryland, where he grew up.
Sarah Nehemiah, a friend during his time in Hawaii, described him as an avid gamer and Pokémon enthusiast. He posted enthusiastically to the Pokémon Go subreddit, a forum dedicated to the popular mobile augmented reality game where users catch virtual Pokémon using their mobile phones.
Gaming has long been a part of the suspect’s life. He spent much of his childhood creating games and later went into the tech and gaming industry, working as an intern at the company that created the enormously popular Civilization game franchise.
I knew it, Pokemon go causes gun violence. we got em, boys
He has a severe spinal issue that required fusion surgery and he's also 26 years old which is the year that kids get kicked off their parent's health insurance. That stuck out to me when his identity was first released.
Since this guy has been so unexpectedly... Um... "Well received"... by the public, I feel like someone should point out that there is going to be a hardcore PR/influence campaign meant to fracture support (for both these types of figures and for changes to the healthcare system in general), sway public opinion and defame/slander. It will happen here and every other social media space, so be on guard for that. I would hope that a rapid reversal in sentiment from universal support to intense hate (or a sudden flood of support for private health insurance or virtue signalling against speaking out against the rich) would be recognized by most as manufactured and inorganic. Basically, bots and paid troll farms everywhere. And if this happens again, they will likely deploy them before any positive sentiments or thoughtful conversations can take hold.
So far, I have seen people reject what Ben Shapiro and other right wing grifters have been saying. At least for now.
They're already chomping at the bit to mention he followed some right wingers in an attempt to scare away the pearl clutching moral puritans on the Left. Already seen a few "this is who you're idolizing" and "eww" comments about that.
Don't fucking let them get away with it. Idgaf if he listened to fucking Rogan everyday, don't let that negate the point of all of this, even if it's true. Fuck, especially if it's true, because that means even demon conservatives (/s) think healthcare is shit and needs fixing, and that should unite everyone.
Don't let the media use your bleeding hearts against you.
It’s fascinating how the narrative around this tragedy is quickly shifting to scapegoating his gaming habits rather than addressing the real issue—the systemic failures of our healthcare system. This isn’t about video games; it’s about a man pushed to the brink by his struggles with pain and bureaucracy. It’s a stark reminder that when people feel powerless, they can react in ways that seem incomprehensible to those not living in their shoes.
They’ll talk about everything and anything besides the main point.
It’s funny, I’ve read three or four of the fake manifestos and this (hopefully real) one is the first one where I wasn’t rolling my eyes half way through. Every other one has felt like some monologue from a V for Vendetta knock off where it tried to frame is actions as morally acceptable or the start of something bigger. There’s something very real about this one in that it’s just like, “I’m angry. Fuck this company and fuck this guy.”
Mike Baker, Mike Isaac, and Aric Toler review archived content found by other Reddit users:
The man charged in the killing of the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare reported in online writings over a period of years that he had been navigating a series of life-altering health problems.
In posts on a Reddit account, the man, Luigi Mangione, said back pain that had once been a minor issue in his life grew more extreme in 2022 after he went surfing, then grew worse again a few weeks later when he slipped on a piece of paper.
He reported persistent problems, including pain when he sat down, twitching leg muscles, and numbness in his groin and bladder.
He shared details that friends have corroborated, writing that he had a spinal fusion surgery in July 2023. He wrote that within days he did not need pain meds and could sit, stand and walk just fine.
[...] The suspect’s comment history on Reddit gives other clues to his personal life and pursuits. He was an active commenter in the OneBag subreddit, a community that “promotes urban travel with the philosophy of carrying less” and focuses on different types of backpacks and travel gear.
Photos released by the New York Police Department of the gunman in the UnitedHealthcare shooting showed what its maker identified as a backpack by Peak Design, a brand that was widely discussed in the OneBag subreddit.
The suspect also posted to the Magfest subreddit, a community dedicated to a gaming subculture and festival held annually in Maryland, where he grew up.
Sarah Nehemiah, a friend during his time in Hawaii, described him as an avid gamer and Pokémon enthusiast. He posted enthusiastically to the Pokémon Go subreddit, a forum dedicated to the popular mobile augmented reality game where users catch virtual Pokémon using their mobile phones.
Gaming has long been a part of the suspect’s life. He spent much of his childhood creating games and later went into the tech and gaming industry, working as an intern at the company that created the enormously popular Civilization game franchise.
I knew it, Pokemon go causes gun violence. we got em, boys
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He has a severe spinal issue that required fusion surgery and he's also 26 years old which is the year that kids get kicked off their parent's health insurance. That stuck out to me when his identity was first released.
More replies
More replies
Since this guy has been so unexpectedly... Um... "Well received"... by the public, I feel like someone should point out that there is going to be a hardcore PR/influence campaign meant to fracture support (for both these types of figures and for changes to the healthcare system in general), sway public opinion and defame/slander. It will happen here and every other social media space, so be on guard for that. I would hope that a rapid reversal in sentiment from universal support to intense hate (or a sudden flood of support for private health insurance or virtue signalling against speaking out against the rich) would be recognized by most as manufactured and inorganic. Basically, bots and paid troll farms everywhere. And if this happens again, they will likely deploy them before any positive sentiments or thoughtful conversations can take hold.
So far, I have seen people reject what Ben Shapiro and other right wing grifters have been saying. At least for now.
More replies
They're already chomping at the bit to mention he followed some right wingers in an attempt to scare away the pearl clutching moral puritans on the Left. Already seen a few "this is who you're idolizing" and "eww" comments about that.
Don't fucking let them get away with it. Idgaf if he listened to fucking Rogan everyday, don't let that negate the point of all of this, even if it's true. Fuck, especially if it's true, because that means even demon conservatives (/s) think healthcare is shit and needs fixing, and that should unite everyone.
Don't let the media use your bleeding hearts against you.
More replies
More replies
It’s fascinating how the narrative around this tragedy is quickly shifting to scapegoating his gaming habits rather than addressing the real issue—the systemic failures of our healthcare system. This isn’t about video games; it’s about a man pushed to the brink by his struggles with pain and bureaucracy. It’s a stark reminder that when people feel powerless, they can react in ways that seem incomprehensible to those not living in their shoes.
They’ll talk about everything and anything besides the main point.
More replies
More replies
Comment removed by moderator
It’s funny, I’ve read three or four of the fake manifestos and this (hopefully real) one is the first one where I wasn’t rolling my eyes half way through. Every other one has felt like some monologue from a V for Vendetta knock off where it tried to frame is actions as morally acceptable or the start of something bigger. There’s something very real about this one in that it’s just like, “I’m angry. Fuck this company and fuck this guy.”
More replies
More replies