Court proceedings in New York City on Tuesday revealed that law enforcement officials connected to the capture of the suspect were so doubtful of a tip on his whereabouts that they bantered regarding a prize hoagie in SMS exchanges.
"He stated, 'should you apprehend the New York City gunman, I’ll buy you a sub from a local eatery,'" stated under oath Police Officer Joseph Detwiler of the Pennsylvania police department. "In response, I replied, 'Consider it accomplished.'"
In less than an sixty minutes, Detwiler learned that this apparently unreliable tip was true.
The Apprehension at a Fast-Food Eatery
Mangione was apprehended in Pennsylvania at a McDonald's on 9 December 2024 in connection with the murder of the United HealthCare CEO. The CEO's fatal shooting on a NYC street on 4 December 2024 had spurred a sprawling search and stoked widespread anger.
Following dispatch's instructions, Detwiler and a colleague proceeded to the McDonald's. "Upon arrival, I observed the male seated at a table there, near the restrooms," Detwiler said. The man was wearing a bulky coat, tan hat and light blue face covering, just as the tipster had said.
Detwiler inquired of the man for his name and explained that "someone called, they thought you were suspicious". He asked for identification, which the man provided. This ID would prove to be fraudulent.
Detwiler also asked the man to lower his mask. "I realized it was him instantly," Detwiler stated.
Court Proceedings and Evidence Dispute
Detwiler's testimony came on the second day of a potentially weeklong hearing concerning if evidence was gathered improperly during Mangione's interaction with officers. The defense attorneys have consistently pushed for the suppression of evidence secured during his detention, claiming he was not immediately advised of his legal protections.
The audio recording chronicling Detwiler's call was played in court.
"We have a man in the restaurant that looks like the NYC shooter," the operator told Detwiler.
Detwiler replied: "Affirmative. We'll be on that."
When questioned regarding his demeanor, Detwiler explained, "I was being semi-sarcastic when I responded. Frankly, I did not believe it was going to be the person that they thought it was."
The Critical Moments After Identification
Detwiler said he "stayed calm" after identifying Mangione and contacted his sergeant. "Correct, he's present. It's him," Detwiler recalled stating.
On the phone conversation, Detwiler emphasized that he was not kidding. "He was surprised, because he was the one who sent me the SMS when we got the dispatch," about the promised hoagie.
Detwiler attempted to behave as casually as possible, telling Mangione that police were there over complaints that he had been lingering too a while. Body-camera footage showed the suspect consuming food.
"In conversation, I inquired him if it was a particular menu item," Detwiler said. Mangione responded with a sound. "I then remarked it was my favorite." His goal, he said, was "just attempting to keep things peaceful and normal."
A Significance of the Face Covering
How much of a factor the suspect's face covering had in attracting attention remains unclear.
When asked about mask culture in Altoona, Detwiler responded, "We do not wear face coverings. They have antibodies."
And since "hardly anyone uses masks" there, Detwiler understood the man they would subsequently identify as Mangione was the person who had caused suspicion. "He had a mask on," Detwiler said. "Therefore he must have been the man we were dispatched there for."
Defense Cross-Examination
Karen Agnifilo, one of the suspect's lawyers, cross-examined Detwiler once the prosecution concluded its inquiry. She focused on details about his identification of Mangione.
Agnifilo noted that the radio transmission was categorized as "low-priority". "It didn't sound serious on the dispatch, no," Detwiler agreed. She also pointed out that emergency signals were not activated.
Agnifilo suggested through her line of inquiry that the speed of the positive ID seemed off. "So, in that instant, two seconds into seeing him, you know: he's the New York City murder suspect?"
Detwiler again that he was sure. "No doubt in my thoughts."
Agnifilo also attempted to establish that Mangione was held without being informed of his Miranda rights. She questioned the police's placement in the restaurant, implying they were positioned to prevent him from exiting.
Detwiler said that he and his partner required space. "We're not going to stand next to each other and grasp each other's hands."
