(NewsNation) — Former FBI Special Agent Tracy Walder said she’s received numerous death threats because of her on-air commentary and analysis covering UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect Luigi Mangione.
“I have never received more death threats in my life,” Walder said during an appearance Thursday on “NewsNation Now.” “That is fascinating to me. And it’s really showing the level of rhetoric and the awful, awful precedent that this sets.”
Walder said there was even an incident at her daughter’s school.
Mangione was extradited to New York City on Thursday, where people showed up with signs of support for him. He has garnered a large following of online support since the incident.
Shooting of Brian Thompson
Brian Thompson, 50, was fatally shot just before 7 a.m. Dec. 4 in front of a Hilton hotel while walking to UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor meeting in New York City.
The words “deny,” “depose” and “defend” were written on bullet shell casings found at the scene. It is an apparent reference to the title of the book “Delay, Deny, Defend,” which covers ways insurance companies reject requests for medical coverage deemed necessary by doctors.
Authorities arrested Mangione at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania on Dec. 9. With him at the time were a mask, firearm, suppressor and fake New Jersey ID that connected him to the shooting, police said.
Mangione also had a manifesto and a spiral notebook with a “to-do” list. In the manifesto, Mangione wrote that he acted alone and that he “apologizes for any strife or traumas, but it had to be done.”
“Frankly, these parasites had it coming,” he wrote.
Mangione case reactions
Thompson’s death and Mangione’s arrest have sparked strong reactions both online and in real life.
Before Thursday’s hearing, some supporters of Mangione were at the courthouse holding signs saying “Luigi the people hear you,” “Murder for profit is terrorism” and “Free Luigi.”
At the Altoona McDonald’s where Mangione was apprehended by police, employees told NewsNation there have been ongoing threats to their lives, leading them to secure two security guards.
Those who live near the McDonald’s say the arrest was quiet, and they had no idea what was happening until it showed up on the news.
NewsNation’s Brooke Shafer, Alex Caprariello and the Associated Press contributed to this report.