JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Editor's Note: First Coast News initially published this story referencing what was thought to be a tweet from Nintendo of America seemingly in support of Luigi Mangione. That tweet has since been debunked as coming from a fake account. This story has been corrected to reflect this update.
While Luigi Mangione is currently behind bars for being suspected of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson. He’s garnered lots of attention online but for a reason that might surprise you.
The 26-year-old is currently going viral as social media users are hailing him a hero and raving over his looks.
People online have made merch with Luigi Mangione’s face on it saying, “Free Luigi.”
There’s also viral memes circulating across multiple platforms and petitions growing with hundreds of signatures supporting Mangione.
All over TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
It appears social media users are posting on their accounts to show their support for Luigi Mangione.
On TikTok, fan edits are being made of Mangione. In the comment section under Mangione’s mugshot on Instagram, many users left behind “free him” comments.
The fascination over the suspected killer goes beyond social media.
Change.org petitions have garnered hundreds of signatures.
One website is even selling shirts with hearts around Luigi’s name, picture, and bullet casings with “deny” “defend” “depose” the words found on the ammunition used to kill Thompson.
In a Monday news conference, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro condemned Mangione's actions and the people praising him online.
"This killer is being hailed as a hero, hear me on this, he is no hero,” said Shapiro.
Jacksonville psychologist, Dr. Tracy Alloway weighs in on the public’s obsession with the suspected killer.
“We know from psychological research the more invested the more a person identifies with the underdog in the story,” said Dr. Alloway. "The more we identify the more we root for that underdog and that’s clearly what we’re seeing here.”
“The emphasis on his physical appearance is again feeding into the idea of the underdog because they are so invested in this underdog story.”
Popular online shopping sites like, Amazon and Etsy did take down merchandise people were selling in support of Mangione.
Go-fund me also removed many campaigns raising money in support.
