As the manhunt for the cold-blooded killer of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson continues to expand, a political personality identified as matching the suspect’s description is crying foul.
In one message on Xa photo of Joey Mannarino was shown next to a surveillance image of the suspect with the caption: “Possible match for identified killer of United Healthcare CEO! Do you recognize this person?!”
The post had been viewed more than 3 million times as of Friday afternoon.
Mannarino, an outspoken supporter of newly elected President Donald Trump, quickly criticized the post for potentially endangering him.
“How is this allowed?” he wrote while sharing the original post.
“This could get me killed.”
Mannarino’s supporters rushed to denounce the original post, whose author defended it as “pure satire.”
‘He thinks that because his story is satire, he can do whatever he wants. This is in bad taste and could potentially be dangerous to you,” wrote one concerned user.
AX user who goes by the name @PawlowskiMario took to the social media page to share a smiling image of the masked attacker and a photo of Joey Mannarino
Another added: ‘It shouldn’t be allowed. That’s disgusting! You don’t even look like that guy.’
“This is insane and I definitely think you have grounds to file a lawsuit,” another suggested.
Others, however, scrutinized Mannarino.
“Maybe you should think about what you post yourself,” one person wrote.
The account that posted the photos is described as “Bold sarcasm, satire, brutal insights.”
The post remained pinned to the top of the account’s profile as of Friday afternoon.
Thompson, 50, was shot in the early hours of Wednesday at New York’s Hilton Midtown Manhattan by a masked assailant who approached from behind and calmly shot him several times before fleeing the scene.
The killer is still at large despite carrying out the ‘brazen’ attack in the middle of one of the busiest and most heavily guarded cities in the world.
The vocal supporter of President-elect Donald Trump quickly hit back
Mannarino’s supporters rushed to denounce the original post, whose author defended it as “pure satire.” Pictured: Mannarino with President-elect Donald Trump
The search for the killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has entered its third day and is spreading across the country
While the picture that has since emerged is one of a carefully planned attack, the suspect left behind some clues that many hoped could lead to an arrest.
As of Friday, the only thing police appear to have found is a partial fingerprint, a burner phone and a fake ID card, despite a cash reward and frenzied media attention that has sent the suspect’s photos spread across the planet.
As the investigation focuses on Thompson’s inner circle in Minnesota, hundreds of tips pour in from across the country for police to follow up. New York Times reports.
There have already been several false starts in the investigation. Police initially said the suspect fled toward Central Park on a CitiBike.
Many noted how easy it would be to delete the details of the paid bikes, which require membership or payment cards.
However, this theory has since been jettisoned, with police claiming they believe the getaway vehicle was a different type of e-bike that was not registered.
A major gap in the investigation is the absence of the murder weapon. Detectives have speculated that the killer used a rare World War II weapon in the shooting, based on video surveillance taken at the scene.
Joey Mannarino with Vivek Ramaswamy
They are now investigating a firearm purchase in Connecticut that matches the suspected weapon. the New York Post reported.
In New York, the search for the killer led police to two hostels on the Upper West Side.
Police visited KAMA Central Park and nearby Fredrick Douglas, but quickly determined they had the wrong location.
It has since been determined that the killer was staying at the HI New York City Hostel and first checked in late last month.
Surveillance footage from the property provided the first clearer images of the suspect’s face, but he was careful not to completely remove his hood.
Officials said he checked into the hostel using a fake New Jersey ID. A background check quickly revealed that the images of the shooter did not match the ID.
Officials said he checked into the hostel using a fake New Jersey ID.
A background check quickly revealed that the images of the shooter did not match the ID.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch is overseeing the investigation into the ‘brutal’ attack that has seen the killer evade capture so far
50-year-old Brian Thompson was shot dead Wednesday morning as he headed to a conference at a Hilton in New York.
The NYPD released several images of the gunman, including photos of him standing at a counter, with his face largely hidden by a balaclava.
Police are said to be investigating the sale of a firearm in Connecticut amid speculation that the weapon used was a rare World War II weapon.
Police said Thursday that they recovered a water bottle and a container of protein bars from a garbage bin near the ambush site and believe the suspect bought them at a Starbucks minutes before the shooting.
The items are currently with the city’s medical examiner for testing. Investigators are also still cracking a burner phone found at the crime scene.
The suspect has so far ensured that his transactions were made in cash only, making it more difficult for police to trace his movements.
Although calculated, according to experts, there are times when he is labeled as an amateur rather than a professional hitman.
These included being caught on surveillance footage from a nearby Starbucks in the moments before the shooting.
The grainy footage was released by police, along with the promise of a $10,000 reward for anyone with information that could lead to his arrest.
At the time of the murder, Thompson and his estranged wife Paulette lived in separate homes less than a mile apart in suburban Maple Grove, Minnesota.
His wife Paulette, a practicing physiotherapist, revealed that her husband had previously received threats. She referred to a “lack of coverage.”