GoFundMe has shut down multiple pages suggesting support for Luigi Mangione, the alleged killer of the UnitedHealthcare CEO.
After an intense manhunt sparked immediately after the CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot on Dec. 4, Mangione was found and arrested in Pennsylvania. He successfully evaded authorities for six days, but building evidence of his identity led to his capture. Footage of the shooting has emerged into a media spectacle, accompanied by evident support from some of the public.
Mangione’s suggested reason for killing Thompson prompted multiple GoFundMe campaigns in support of him following his arrest and charges of murder. However, as the pages were created, GoFundMe swiftly took action to shut them down. The crowdfunding website says it’s due to its policy on what causes can be funded on its platform.
“GoFundMe’s Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers for the legal defense of violent crimes,” said a GoFundMe spokesperson to The Independent . “The fundraisers have been removed from our platform, and all donors have been refunded.”