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Court proceedings in New York City on Tuesday revealed that law enforcement officials connected to the capture of the suspect were so skeptical of a tip on his whereabouts that they joked regarding a reward sandwich in text messages.

"My supervisor stated, 'should you get the NYC shooter, I’ll buy you a sub from a nearby restaurant,'" testified Police Officer Joseph Detwiler of the Altoona, Pennsylvania police department. "In response, I replied, 'Consider it done.'"

In under an hour, Detwiler learned that this seemingly unreliable tip was true.

A Apprehension at a Quick-Service Eatery

Mangione was captured in Pennsylvania at a fast-food chain on 9 December 2024 in relation to the murder of the United HealthCare CEO. The CEO's fatal shooting on a NYC street on 4 December 2024 had spurred a widespread search and stoked public outrage.

Following the call center's instructions, Detwiler and a colleague went to the restaurant. "I saw the man sitting at a booth there, next to the restrooms," Detwiler said. The man was dressed in a large coat, brown beanie and light blue medical mask, just as the tipster had described.

Detwiler inquired of the man for his name and explained that "a person contacted authorities, they believed you were suspicious". He requested identification, which the man handed over. This identification would prove to be fraudulent.

Detwiler also requested the man to pull down his mask. "At that moment, I realized it was him instantly," Detwiler stated.

Court Proceedings and Proof Dispute

The officer's account came on the second day of a potentially multi-day proceeding concerning if proof was collected illegally during the suspect's interaction with officers. The defense lawyers have repeatedly pushed for the exclusion of materials secured during his detention, alleging he was not immediately informed of his legal protections.

The audio recording chronicling Detwiler's dispatch was presented in court.

"There's a male in the restaurant that looks like the New York City suspect," the operator informed Detwiler.

Detwiler replied: "Affirmative. We'll be on that."

When asked regarding his demeanor, Detwiler clarified, "I was being somewhat flippant when I said. Frankly, I did not think it was going to be the individual that they thought it was."

The Moments Following Recognition

Detwiler testified he "remained calm" after recognizing Mangione and contacted his supervisor. "Yes, he's here. It's him," Detwiler recalled saying.

On the phone conversation, Detwiler insisted that he wasn't joking. "He was taken aback, because he was the one who texted me the SMS when we received the call," referencing the free sandwich.

Detwiler tried to behave as casually as possible, telling the man that police were there over complaints that he had been lingering too long. Officer-worn footage depicted Mangione eating food.

"I asked him if it was a steak sandwich," Detwiler said. He responded affirmatively. "I said it was my preferred item." His intention, he said, was "simply attempting to keep things calm and routine."

The Significance of the Face Covering

The extent of a factor the suspect's mask played in drawing suspicion remains debatable.

When questioned about the prevalence of masks in the area, Detwiler said, "We do not use face coverings. We have antibodies."

And because "no one uses them" there, Detwiler understood the man they would later confirm as Mangione was the individual who had caused concern. "He had a mask on," Detwiler testified. "Therefore he must have been the person we were called there for."

Defense Cross-Examination

Karen Agnifilo, among Mangione's lawyers, examined Detwiler after the prosecution wrapped its questioning. She focused on details about his identification of her client.

Agnifilo noted that the dispatch call was labeled as "not urgent". "It didn't seem serious on the dispatch, no," Detwiler conceded. She also pointed out that lights and sirens were not used.

Agnifilo implied through questioning that the speed of the identification seemed off. "So, in that instant, two seconds into observing him, you are certain: he's the New York City shooter?"

Detwiler reiterated that he knew. "No doubt in my thoughts."

Agnifilo also sought to establish that her client was detained without being apprised of his rights. She questioned the officers' physical position in the restaurant, implying they were standing to prevent him from exiting.

Detwiler said that he and his partner required space. "We are not going to stand beside each other and hold each other's hands."