"One Of The Most Mask Off Moments I Have Ever Seen": Luigi Mangione Was Charged With Murder As An Act Of Terrorism, And People Have THOUGHTS

Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has been charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder — one of which is charged as killing in an act of terrorism, according to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

The indictment specifies: "The defendant... with intent to cause the death of another person, caused the death of Brian Thompson, and said person was killed in furtherance of an act of terrorism... and were intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policies of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion, and affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping."

Twitter: @molcranenewman

During a press conference, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg shared similar sentiments, telling reporters that Thompson's death on a public street “was a killing that was intended to evoke terror. And we’ve seen that reaction.”

"This type of premeditated, targeted gun violence cannot and will not be tolerated," Bragg continued in a statement.

As with much news surrounding this case, the update to Luigi's charges quickly spread online, where the murder as an act of terrorism charge raised a few eyebrows.

Largely, reactions fell into two camps online:

1. Those who question UnitedHealthcare — whose parent company is the for-profit corporation UnitedHealth Group — being characterized as a "government unit."

And 2. Those expressing the belief that if Luigi is to be charged with murder as an act of terrorism, so, too, should those who kill people on school grounds, which are funded by local, state, and federal governments.

Group one seems to largely fall in line with the words of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez when she spoke on the nation's interest in this case. "I think people need to really understand how much everyday people are living with," she said.

Many in America "know someone who died or passed away, and in their most vulnerable moments, had either their lives destroyed from a devastating healthcare diagnosis that completely upended their financial life.

This collective American experience, which is so twisted to have in the wealthiest nation in the world, all of that pain that people have experienced is being concentrated on this event."

"This is not to say that an act of violence is justified," she continued, "but I think for anyone who is confused or shocked or appalled, they need to understand that people interpret and feel and experience denied claims as an act of violence against them."

Twitter: @CBSNews

Purportedly in group one, a netizen wrote, "I cannot get over the DA classifying a private healthcare corporation as a 'unit of government'. One of the most mask off moments I have ever seen from the ruling class."

Twitter: @SxarletRed

"terror charges against luigi are crazy because if the for profit health insurance system and the violence it inflicts isn't terrorism what is," another added.

Twitter: @kylietcheung

And, "If Luigi Mangione is a terrorist I'd love to know how for-profit insurance is classified."

Twitter: @daviddoel

Then comes group two, where people express a want for what they view as equal justice — those who intentionally kill others, particularly (in this case) within "government"-related entities, being treated similarly by the US justice system.

"Luigi getting hit with a terrorism charge...where was this charge for all of the school shooters in the past 12 years?" one person wrote.

Twitter: @Mattduffy33

"We live in a world where a person can shoot a CEO and label it domestic terrorism but can't give the same label to those who shoot up schools," another said. "What the fuck is wrong with this place."

Twitter: @burlapmilkshake

"'Terrorism' if it's a CEO, but 'unfixable' if it's school children."

Twitter: @DeathMetalV

Deeper in the internet hole, netizens alluded to hypocrisy, posing, "they didn't even charge dylann roof with terrorism, a literal white supremacist neo-nazi who wanted to start a race war after massacring nine members of emanuel african methodist church during their bible study."

Dylann Roof was convicted of murder and 33 counts of racially motivated hate crimes after he opened fire on the congregation of a Black church during their bible study. He reportedly shot about 74 rounds, killing nine people.

In what appears to be his manifesto, the writer refers to Black people as "the biggest problem for Americans."

"I have no choice. I am not in the position to, alone, go into the ghetto and fight. I chose Charleston because it is most historic city in my state, and at one time had the highest ratio of blacks to Whites in the country. We have no skinheads, no real KKK, no one doing anything but talking on the internet. Well someone has to have the bravery to take it to the real world, and I guess that has to be me," it reads.

Roof was not charged with murder as an act of terrorism, despite criticism.

Twitter: @soybeanfairy

As of Thursday, Dec. 19, HuffPost reports that Luigi Mangione will waive extradition from Pennsylvania and could be in New York, the site of the killing, as early as this week. We will keep you updated on what happens next.

What are your thoughts on these charges? Let us know in the comments.