A man was taken into custody on Monday, April 14, following a tense standoff outside UnitedHealthcare’s corporate headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota, in an incident that has drawn the attention of federal authorities.
The arrest comes just months after the high-profile killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York.
Authorities say the unidentified suspect was detained without incident after reportedly telling police he was armed and demanding $1 million during a phone call with law enforcement. According to sources, the man was sitting in his vehicle outside the healthcare giant’s office, where he claimed to have a pistol and insisted on speaking with a negotiator. Law enforcement later confirmed a firearm was found in his car.
The FBI responded to the scene alongside local police and successfully persuaded the suspect to surrender. A heavy law enforcement presence had surrounded the building late Monday morning, with the Minnetonka Police Department confirming there was “no threat to the public” following the arrest.
The situation has raised further concerns about security at UnitedHealthcare’s headquarters. The facility has reportedly increased protective measures since the December 4 killing of CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan. According to local media, police have maintained a visible presence at the site ever since.
Thompson was fatally shot hours before he was scheduled to speak at a conference in New York. The alleged shooter, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and terrorism. He also faces federal charges, and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced prosecutors will pursue the death penalty.
Bondi described the killing as “an act of political violence,” alleging that Mangione deliberately stalked and murdered Thompson in broad daylight, endangering the public. Mangione’s attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, criticized the federal government’s response, calling the decision to seek execution “barbaric.”
Authorities have not released details about any possible connection between Monday’s suspect and Mangione. Investigations are ongoing.
Source: Linda Ikeji
