FACT CHECK: Viral X Video Does Not Show Luigi Mangione Skateboarding
A viral video shared on X purports to show Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old Maryland native accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, skateboarding.
🚨BREAKING🚨
Cultural Touchstone Luigi Mangione stuns in newly discovered footage displaying his incredible skateboarding skills! #LuigiCrave #LuigiMangione pic.twitter.com/eXsQrRVYaz
— Luigi Mangione Updates (@LuigiCrave) December 16, 2024
Verdict: False
The claim is false. The original video, shared on Instagram, shows Guy Azulay, a musician who bears a physical resemblance to Mangione.
Fact Check:
Mangione is expected to waive extradition to New York following his arrest in the shooting death of Thompson, according to ABC News. Mangione faces charges including second-degree murder, the outlet reported.
The X video, which has amassed over two million views as of writing, purports to show Mangione skateboarding.
“BREAKING: Cultural Touchstone Luigi Mangione stuns in newly discovered footage displaying his incredible skateboarding skills! #LuigiCrave #LuigiMangione,” the video’s caption reads. In the video, a young man who resembles Mangione skateboards through a parking lot.
The claim is false. The original video, shared on Instagram, shows Azulay, a musician who bears a physical resemblance to Mangione. According to his public Instagram profile, Azulay is a member of the band Tanker Low and also appears to be a fan of WKND skateboards.
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Likewise, Check Your Fact found no credible news reports to suggest the viral X video showed Mangione. Actually, the opposite is true. On Dec. 16, Lead Stories debunked the claim, indicating the video showed Azulay. (RELATED: Does This Video Show The UnitedHealthcare CEO Mentioning Working With Nancy Pelosi?)
Mangione was arrested at a McDonald’s restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania on Dec. 9 for his alleged role in Thompson’s death, according to CNN. A gun Mangione was carrying at the time of his arrest matches shell casings found at the scene where Thompson was shot, USA Today reported. In addition, Mangione’s fingerprints match those found on items at the scene of the shooting, the outlet indicated.
Thompson was shot and killed on Dec. 4 in New York while en route to UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor conference, according to The Associated Press.
