Court hearings in Manhattan on that day disclosed that police officers involved with the capture of Luigi Mangione were so doubtful of a tip on his location that they bantered regarding a reward sandwich in SMS exchanges.
"He said, 'should you get the New York City shooter, I’ll purchase you a sub from a nearby eatery,'" testified Police Officer Joseph Detwiler of the Altoona, Pennsylvania police department. "In response, I replied, 'Consider it accomplished.'"
In under an hour, Detwiler discovered that this seemingly spurious lead was accurate.
The Capture at a Fast-Food Eatery
The suspect was captured in the state at a fast-food chain on that date in connection with the killing of Brian Thompson. The CEO's fatal shooting on a New York City street on the prior date had ignited a sprawling manhunt and fueled widespread outrage.
In response to the call center's orders, Detwiler and a colleague went to the McDonald's. "I saw the male seated at a table inside, next to the restrooms," Detwiler testified. The man was wearing a large coat, brown beanie and light blue face covering, just as the tipster had described.
Detwiler asked the man for his identification and explained that "someone called, they believed you were suspicious". He requested identification, which the man handed over. This identification would later be revealed as fake.
Detwiler also asked the man to pull down his face covering. "At that moment, I realized it was him immediately," Detwiler said.
Court Hearings and Evidence Challenge
Detwiler's testimony came on the second day of a possibly weeklong proceeding about whether proof was gathered improperly during Mangione's interaction with officers. Mangione's attorneys have consistently argued for the exclusion of materials secured during his arrest, alleging he was not immediately informed of his constitutional rights.
The dispatch tape chronicling Detwiler's dispatch was presented in the hearing.
"We have a male in the restaurant that looks like the New York City suspect," police dispatch told Detwiler.
Detwiler responded: "10-4. We will be on that."
When questioned about his demeanor, Detwiler clarified, "At the time, I was being somewhat flippant when I said. Frankly, I did not believe it was going to be the person that they suspected it was."
The Moments After Recognition
Detwiler testified he "stayed calm" after recognizing Mangione and contacted his sergeant. "Correct, he's here. It's him," Detwiler remembered saying.
On the call, Detwiler emphasized that he was not joking. "He was taken aback, since he was the one who sent me the text message when we received the dispatch," about the free hoagie.
Detwiler attempted to behave as casually as possible, telling the man that officers were there over complaints that he had been loitering too a while. Body-camera video showed the suspect eating food.
"I asked him if it was a particular menu item," Detwiler stated. Mangione replied with a sound. "I remarked it was my preferred item." His goal, he said, was "simply trying to keep things peaceful and routine."
The Significance of the Mask
How much of a role Mangione's face covering had in attracting suspicion remains unclear.
When questioned about mask culture in Altoona, Detwiler said, "We do not use masks. They have antibodies."
And because "no one wears them" in that locale, Detwiler understood the man they would subsequently confirm as Mangione was the person who had caused suspicion. "The individual had a face covering on," Detwiler said. "So he had to be the man we were called there for."
Defense Cross-Examination
Karen Agnifilo, among Mangione's lawyers, examined Detwiler once the state concluded its inquiry. She pressed on details surrounding his identification of her client.
Agnifilo highlighted that the radio transmission was labeled as "not urgent". "The call didn't sound serious on the radio, no," Detwiler conceded. She also pointed out that lights and sirens were not used.
Agnifilo implied through questioning that the speed of the positive ID seemed questionable. "So, in that instant, two seconds into seeing him, you are certain: he's the New York City shooter?"
Detwiler reiterated that he was sure. "Absolutely no uncertainty in my mind."
Agnifilo also attempted to establish that her client was held without being informed of his rights. She questioned the police's placement in the restaurant, suggesting they were positioned to block him from exiting.
Detwiler said that he and his fellow officer needed room. "We are not going to position ourselves beside each other and hold each other's hands."
