NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Monday, December 9, 2024

Episode Date: December 10, 2024

'Strong person of interest' arrested in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO; After Assad is driven out of Syria, celebrations and searches for the missing; Daniel Penny acquitted in subway chokehold death; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the strong person of interest under arrest in the manhunt for the killer of United Healthcare's CEO. The individual identified as 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, arrested on gun charges after he was spotted at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania. Police say he was found with a ghost gun, possibly made with a 3D printer, and suppressor like those used to kill CEO Brian Thompson in New York. Also found fake IDs and a handwritten manifesto. The clue is about a possible motive.

Also tonight, the not guilty verdict in the subway chokehold trial after the most serious charge was thrown out. The celebration as Syria's dictator flees to Russia. The images inside his abandoned palace. And who are the rebels who have seized control. On the heels of our exclusive with President-elect Trump, his controversial pick for FBI chief, Kash Patel, making his case on Capitol Hill. Jay-Z accused in a lawsuit of raping a 13-year-old girl along with Sean Diddy Combs, how he's firing back. New hope for Austin Tice, the U.S. journalist long missing in Syria. Now the regime has fallen. My conversation

with his family. Does this feel different somehow? It does feel different. It definitely feels different. Yeah, very much feels different. Will Tice finally go free? This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. Good evening and welcome. It appears tonight the manhunt may have come to an end. The person of interest sought for the ambush murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City. A man who police say matches those widely disseminated police photos was tracked down in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where local police brought him in for questioning earlier today after he was spotted in a McDonald's. New York's Mayor Eric Adams calling that man, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, a strong person of interest in Thompson's killing.

Police say among his belongings at the time of his apprehension, a gun similar to the murder weapon and a three-and-a-half-page document expressing ill will toward corporate America, potentially pointing to a motive. Mangione has eluded police for almost a week despite a digital and evidence trail detailing his movements across New York City. Tonight, he is under arrest in Altoona and facing weapons charges as New York authorities continue to investigate him. Stephanie Goss joins us with late developments. Lester, according to court documents, when police arrived here at this McDonald's, Mangione was sitting at a table with a medical mask using his laptop. When they asked him if

he had been to New York City recently, he looked nervous, and then he started to shake. 26-year-old Luigi Mangione is in custody tonight in Pennsylvania, being held on unrelated gun charges. The NYPD believe the manhunt may be over. We have a strong person of interest in the shooting that shook our city last week. Five days after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was stalked and gunned down on the streets of Midtown Manhattan, the masked shooter fleeing on an e-bike into Central Park and eluding police long enough to get out of the city. The suspect was in a McDonald's and was recognized by an employee who then called local police.

280 miles west of New York City, eating breakfast. Local police detained Mangione after he showed them this fake ID from New Jersey with the name Mark Rosario, the same one he used to check into a Manhattan hostel, according to two senior law enforcement officials. The NYPD says it was one of multiple fake IDs in his possession, along with a U.S. passport, a similar mask and clothing worn by the gunman, and this weapon with a suppressor like the one used in the shooting. The gun appears to be a ghost gun. It may have been made on a 3D printer. The capability of firing a 9mm round.

Altoona police also discovered a handwritten three-page manifesto, according to officials. Does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America. The NYPD is in Altoona tonight to question Mangione, who has not been charged in last week's shooting. The NYPD says Mangione was born and raised in Maryland, his last known address in Hawaii. He was the valedictorian at an all-boys private school in Baltimore, according to his LinkedIn page. Our class was able to explore the new while also preserving the old. The University of Pennsylvania says he graduated in 2020 with a bachelor's and a master's in computer science,

a fraternity at the school also confirming he was a member. Tonight, investigators say they are combing through his online posts, and there are many on platforms including Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Goodreads, which reveals the 26-year-old appears to be a prolific reader. On Goodreads, Mangione shared someone else's take on the manifesto written by the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski. When all other forms of communication fail, violence is necessary to survive. It's not terrorism, it's war and revolution. Mangione saying he found it interesting.

Authorities have not identified a motive for Thompson's murder, but law enforcement sources say the bullets left at the scene were engraved with three words, depose, delay, deny, an apparent reference to language used when health insurance companies deny claims. We believe at this point our investigation is leaning toward he was acting alone. LISA DESJARDINS, Thompson's murder triggered a backlash online against health care companies, many sharing their anger with the industry.

Some people even celebrating the killer. At UnitedHealthcare in Minnesota, the company put up temporary fencing, while today a private funeral was held for the CEO, 50-year-old father of two, Brian Thompson. Stephanie Gosk, NBC News, Altoona, Pennsylvania. I'm joined now by NBC's Tom Winter, who has been following every step of this investigation. Tom, what else are police looking at as they try to piece together what happened? Sure, Lester. Investigators from the NYPD Detective Bureau and their intelligence analysts will try and figure out what the motive may be in the case. We're told they're looking at a post

on his social media with someone's x-rays and screws in the back. Is that his back, a relative? Does it have connection to the case? Just one of the many items they are looking at. And why didn't facial recognition work? Law enforcement officials say it could be because the image quality wasn't high enough. Lester. All right, Tom Witter, thanks. Let's get to the verdict today in the case of the man accused of putting a fellow subway rider in a deadly chokehold. The New York jury finding Daniel Penny not guilty. Laura Jarrett is following this. Laura, this was a closely watched case.

Yes, Lester, it is a case that has provoked very strong feelings and raised tough questions. But after five days of deliberations, this jury of seven women and five men finally reached consensus. A jury in Manhattan finding Daniel Penny not guilty today, clearing the Marine veteran of any criminal wrongdoing for putting a man in this fatal chokehold on the subway last year, some in the courtroom erupting in anger, others in relief, as crowds of demonstrators gathered outside reflecting the deep divisions the case has sparked. Penny's defenders casting the 26-year-old as a folk hero for protecting other subway

riders who described Jordan Neely's behavior that day as frightening and threatening. While others view Neely's death as an indictment of a broken mental health system that failed to protect a vulnerable 30-year-old man, a former Michael Jackson impersonator experiencing homelessness. I just want to say I miss my son. It hurts. LISA DESJARDINS This video of Penny putting Neely in a chokehold for six minutes going viral.

His defense team had argued at trial Penny didn't cause Neely's death, placing blame instead on a genetic condition, his struggles with mental illness and alleged drug use. DR. JOHN B. BUSH, When you have someone repeatedly going through that system, that's a signature of failure. LISA DESJARDINS, The judge tossed out the top charge of manslaughter on Friday and sent jurors home, after they said they were hopelessly deadlocked, returning today to deliberate for just a few hours on the lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide, the DA's

office saying in a statement, quote, the jury has now spoken. We respect their verdict. Laura Jarrett, NBC News, New York. Let's turn out of the dramatic developments in Syria. Rebels swiftly driving out the brutal regime of dictator Bashar al-Assad, whose family has ruled for a half century. Richard Engel and his team report on the ground in the capital, Damascus, tonight. In the main square in Damascus, thousands gathered to cheer the end of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.

Entire families came to witness history in the making. Syrians have been coming from all over the country to gather here. Hello. I'm from the United States. Welcome. Thank you very much. Which place? Which time? NBC News. Welcome. How are you much. Which place? NBC News. Welcome.

Well, how are you feeling today? Very happy. Very happy. Very, very happy. It seems to be the sentiment here. Everyone says very happy. Yes. Wow. So this is a symbol of everything that has transpired here over the last, just two weeks, the rebel forces moved into Damascus, and

the government and its armed forces simply melted away. We have seen uniforms on the ground. This tank was just abandoned. NICK SCHIFRIN Now the tank is in the hands of the people it was used to repress. There is one word I'm hearing over and over again. It is hurria, Arabic. And a lot of celebratory gunfire. The rebels were given a hero's welcome.

Many are from an Islamist group called HTS, and a lot of celebratory gunfire. RAY SUAREZ, The rebels were given a hero's welcome. Many are from an Islamist group called HTS, considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. Their victory was swift after Assad's longtime backers, Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, did not or could not intervene. ABDULLAH ABDULLAH, Everything will be excellent in our foreign and domestic relations. We don't want to be hostile to anyone, said one fighter. The leader of HTS was once an al-Qaida commander, although he split from the group years ago.

Today, he promised tolerance for all religions and said there would be no restrictions on women's rights. Syrians are overwhelmed by all the sudden changes, and they're getting their first glimpses of Assad's life of luxury. A video claims to show his vast collection of sports cars and SUVs repossessed by revolution. The rebels have also been freeing political prisoners from a notorious prison once dubbed the Human S slaughterhouse. Assad escaped from Moscow, where he and his family were given asylum for humanitarian

reasons. With him gone, there is nervousness, but also hope. Refugees are rushing back to write the next chapter of Syria's history. NICK SCHIFRIN, To show they're serious about uniting this country, tonight, the rebels' leader announced a general amnesty for former government employees and soldiers. Lester. OK, Richard Engel, thank you.

Now to Capitol Hill and president-elect Trump's controversial pick to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, meeting with Republicans today. It comes after we asked Mr. Trump about Patel in our NBC News exclusive interview. We get more from Kristen Welker. Tonight, President-elect Trump's pick for FBI Director Kash Patel on Capitol Hill, getting praise from a key Republican. I'm certainly inclined to support him. We talked about the importance of restoring the reputation of the FBI

as a nonpartisan law enforcement investigative agency. LISA DESJARDINS- Patel is a former federal prosecutor and national security official, but critics have slammed his call to go after those he said unfairly targeted Mr. Trump. NBC's Ryan Nobles asking him today. Have you told President Trump that the FBI will remain independent? In his book, Patel writing about 60 people he says are part of the quote, deep state. We pressed President-elect Trump in our exclusive interview. Do you want Kash Patel

to launch investigations into people on that list? No, I mean, he's going to do what he thinks is right. Do you think that's right? I will tell you— Do you think that's right? Do you think that's right, sir? If they think that somebody was dishonest or crooked or a corrupt politician, I think he probably has an obligation to do it. But— Are you going to direct him to do it? No, not at all.

Not at all. Meanwhile, Mr. Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, former Democratic congresswoman and combat veteran Tulsi Gabbard has faced criticism for her past meeting with Syria's then-dictator. The president-elect recently posted the U.S. should not get involved in Syria. TULSI GABBARD, Former Democratic Congresswoman and Combat Veteran, I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria. President-elect Trump told me he has confidence in Gabbard and that she's a very respected person.

She's just one of several Trump picks meeting with Republican senators this week. Lester. All right, Kristen, thank you. In 60 seconds, the new lawsuit accusing Jay-Z and Sean Combs of raping a 13-year-old girl. Accusations they both denied. The new allegations and reactions after this. We are back now with the headline first reported by NBC News. Music superstar Jay-Z now accused in a lawsuit of raping a 13-year-old girl along with Sean Diddy Combs. Chloe Malas with the allegation and how the billionaire hip-hop icon is firing back. Tonight, explosive allegations against legendary rapper and mogul Jay-Z, whose real name is Sean Carter.

A new civil lawsuit is accusing him of raping a 13-year-old girl with Sean Diddy Combs, which they both deny. The suit claims the alleged assault happened after the Video Music Awards in 2000, the year Jay-Z was nominated for Big Pimpin'. The mogul husband of megastar Beyonce calling the accusation heinous. Now his lawyers also firing back, saying these are false, unfounded allegations. The lawsuit was originally filed in October against Combs, Jay-Z's longtime friend and an unnamed celebrity A. But now it has been refiled naming celebrity A as Jay-Z. There is nothing unusual about the timing

other than the fact that the client authorized us to amend the lawsuit and name Jay-Z as a defendant. The anonymous woman who was 13 at the time described in the lawsuit as being drugged and raped at an MTV VMAs after party she says Combs hosted. According to the suit, she recalls accepting a drink that made her feel woozy and lightheaded before she says she was raped by Jay-Z and then Combs in a bedroom as an unnamed female celebrity watched. Now Jay-Z accusing the woman's attorney of trying to blackmail him in a demand letter, suggesting the attorney had tried to seek a settlement first.

These kinds of demand letters are sent on a daily basis across the United States, and attempting to attack me to take the focus off of the alleged perpetrator won't work, and it won't intimidate us. Sean Combs remains behind bars awaiting trial on various federal charges, including sex trafficking, which he has pleaded not guilty. Busby has filed a string of civil suits against Combs, which Combs' attorneys have dismissed as shameless publicity stunts. And Chloe, we don't know the identity of the accuser, which was the crux of a filing today. That's exactly right, Lester. The accuser is currently listed as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, but just hours ago, Jay-Z's attorney filed a motion

demanding that her identity be revealed or have this case completely dismissed. Now, ultimately, this will be the judge's decision, but it's also possible that the accuser, who is now an adult, could come forward and reveal her identity on her own, Lester. All right, Chloe Malas, thank you. Up next for us as we continue, their son has been missing in Syria for a dozen years. What the parents of Austin Tice say they feel this moment feels different. Back now to a Texas family's renewed hopes of bringing their son home. Austin Tice has been held in Syria for 12 years. His parents have never given up hope and told me today there is recent evidence that Austin is alive. We have not received a proof of

life. We have absolutely verifiable intel that he is. Mark and Deborah Tice say their confidence is boosted by unspecified information they've received from the region. We did hear that he's doing well whenever we had this information, that he is safe, he is well. President Biden agrees that Tice is alive and over the weekend said he thinks the U.S. can get him back. The family's request to the president? We would ask the same thing of them as we are of the new authorities in Damascus, and that is please do everything you can to keep Austin safe until he's in our arms, until he's home with us. JOHN YANG, Austin Tice went missing on a reporting assignment in Syria in August

2012, the last sighting, this brief video surfacing about a month later, alive but appearing to be held captive by unknown parties. Mark, we've spoken before and there have been some ups and some downs, as you can certainly testify to. Does this feel different somehow? It does feel different. It definitely feels different. It very much feels different. In chaos, there's opportunity. This is an opportunity, and it feels stronger than any that we've seen or felt in a long

time. What do you think stands in the way of his freedom? I can't imagine that anything stands in the way of his freedom? I can't imagine that anything stands in the way of his freedom. You know, it will just be a matter of who finds him and how they choose to release him. But I do believe that he will be found. Part of my conversation with Mark and Deborah Tice earlier today. And that is nightly news. Thank you for watching. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Part of my conversation with Mark and Deborah Tice earlier today.