Seeking Truth in Today's Troubled World

This is a work of fiction, based on recent events. Some names and details have been changed.

In the early morning hours of a crisp autumn day in New York City, the assassination of healthcare CEO Victor Langston sent shockwaves through the industry. Langston, a notorious figure in the private healthcare sector, had built his empire by consolidating hospitals and medical networks, ruthlessly slashing costs to boost profits. Outside a luxury hotel in Midtown Manhattan, as Langston prepared to leave for a business meeting, a single shot rang out, ending his life. 

The killer was Luigi Mangione, a former student of York State University. To many, Mangione’s actions were the tragic culmination of a radical transformation from a bright, idealistic young man to a cold-blooded killer. But what was even more perplexing—and unsettling—was the widespread support for Mangione’s actions on social media. The murder was seen by some as an act of justice, a bold stand against corporate greed, and a symbol of rebellion against an unjust system. This phenomenon raised unsettling questions about the state of American society: What was it about Manngioni’s actions that resonated so deeply with a large section of the public? And what does this support reveal about a deeply fractured and disillusioned society? 

A Promising Childhood: The Making of a Model Student 

Luigi Mangione was born into a working-class family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the early 1990s. His parents, Marco and Isabella, had immigrated from Italy in search of a better life. Marco worked long hours at a steel mill, while Isabella held a secretarial position at a local law firm. Their sacrifices instilled in Luigi a strong work ethic and a belief in the American Dream—that through hard work and education, anything was possible. 

From an early age, Luigi stood out for his academic excellence. He was the kind of student who always had his nose in a book, curious about everything from history to science. Teachers praised him for his intellectual ability and dedication. By high school, Luigi had become an exceptional student, excelling not only in academics but also in extracurricular activities. He was a member of the debate team, volunteered for community projects, and was well-liked by both peers and teachers. His hard work paid off when he was named valedictorian of his graduating class. At his high school graduation, Luigi delivered an inspiring speech about social responsibility, the power of education, and the importance of using one’s abilities to help others. 

“I believe we have the power to change the world,” he said, standing before an auditorium full of proud parents and teachers. “But the real test is how we use that power—not for ourselves, but for those who need it the most.” 

The speech was filled with optimism and idealism, a reflection of the values he had been taught. At that moment, Luigi seemed destined for greatness. His future appeared bright, and his path to a successful life—whether as a doctor, lawyer, or reformer—was clear. 

Disillusionment and the Path to Radicalization 

Luigi’s transition from the confident, optimistic valedictorian to the man who would later take the life of a powerful CEO was not abrupt, but rather a gradual process fueled by frustration and disillusionment. Upon entering York State University in the late 2000s, Luigi chose economics with a focus on healthcare policy. At first, his academic journey was much like his high school experience—marked by intellectual curiosity and a desire to solve the complex problems he saw in the healthcare system. 

But it didn’t take long for Luigi to realize that the system was not as simple as he had believed. The deeper he delved into economics, the more he became aware of the entrenched power structures in American healthcare—structures that prioritized profit over patient care. He began studying the practices of corporate healthcare executives—men and women who built multi-million-dollar empires at the expense of quality care for ordinary people. His idealism began to erode as he encountered the realities of a system that seemed more interested in protecting the status quo than enacting meaningful change. 

It was in this environment that Luigi first met Dr. Matthew Kingsley, a former healthcare executive turned professor at York State. Kingsley had left the corporate world after growing disillusioned with the greed he had witnessed in the industry. He became a vocal critic of the for-profit healthcare system, arguing that it was fundamentally flawed and needed to be radically transformed. Kingsley’s ideas were more than academic—they were impassioned, filled with a moral urgency that resonated deeply with Luigi. 

The first conversation between Luigi and Kingsley was casual enough. They met after a lecture on healthcare economics, where Luigi had asked a question about the consolidation of hospital chains. 

“You don’t think that’s a good thing?” Luigi had asked, genuinely puzzled. “Wouldn’t larger networks lead to more efficient care?” 

Kingsley had smiled, a wry, knowing smile. “Efficiency is the word, isn’t it? But efficiency, in this case, means cutting costs. And who do you think bears the brunt of those cuts?” 

Luigi frowned. “The patients?” 

“Yes,” Kingsley said, leaning in. “And the employees. Efficiency is a euphemism for profit at the expense of people’s lives.” 

Over the next few months, Luigi began to attend Kingsley’s seminars, where discussions about healthcare’s moral failures turned into increasingly radical ideas about the need to dismantle the system entirely. Kingsley was a brilliant orator, capable of framing the failures of the healthcare system as an urgent, existential crisis. He spoke of the executives at the top—people like Langston—as more than just businessmen. To Kingsley, they were symbols of a larger, immoral system that had to be destroyed. 

One evening, after a particularly intense lecture, Luigi approached Kingsley in the faculty lounge. 

“Professor Kingsley,” Luigi said, his voice tentative but sincere. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said. About how the healthcare system isn’t just broken, but corrupt. But… what do we do? How can we fix it?” 

Kingsley looked at him thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing slightly. “We can’t fix it, Luigi. The system is too far gone. Sometimes, things need to be… destroyed before they can be rebuilt.” 

Luigi looked puzzled. “Destroyed? How?” 

Kingsley’s gaze grew intense. “By striking at the heart of it. The people who perpetuate this system—the CEOs, the politicians—they need to understand the consequences of their actions. If they won’t change the system, we must make them feel the weight of their greed.” 

For the first time, Luigi considered the idea of radical action—action that went beyond policy reform and entered the realm of direct intervention. 

The Transformation: From Idealist to Assassin 

As Luigi became more entrenched in Kingsley’s worldview, his sense of justice grew more extreme. The man who once believed that education and reform could solve society’s problems now found himself questioning everything he had learned. He became obsessed with the idea that corporate healthcare executives—like Langston—were not merely making bad decisions but were the architects of a cruel and unjust system. They were not just individuals, but symbols of a system that had betrayed millions. 

Kingsley, ever the manipulator, nurtured these feelings. He told Luigi that radical action was not only justified—it was necessary. 

“People like Langston don’t just run companies, Luigi,” Kingsley would say in their late-night discussions. “They shape the entire system. The system doesn’t just need fixing—it needs to be overturned. And if a few powerful people have to be removed to make that happen, so be it.” 

Luigi’s mind, once filled with idealism, began to shift. He no longer saw himself as an academic or a reformer. He was a revolutionary—a man who had seen the truth of a broken system and was willing to take extreme action to fix it. 

The Assassination: A Cold-Blooded Act of Justice 

The assassination of Victor Langston unfolded with chilling precision. Luigi had studied Langston’s movements for weeks, tracking his routine and identifying the perfect time to strike. Langston, always accompanied by bodyguards, was notoriously difficult to get close to, but Luigi had planned for every eventuality. On the morning of October 15, as Langston exited his hotel in New York City, Luigi stood across the street, hidden in the shadows. With one clean shot, Langston was dead. 

The crowd was paralyzed by shock. Within seconds, Luigi had disappeared, blending into the city’s chaos. The act was swift, calculated, and ruthless. It was a stark contrast to the young man who had once stood before his classmates, speaking about the power of education and kindness. 

For Luigi, the murder was not an act of personal vengeance, but a necessary sacrifice—a way to send a message that the system could no longer continue unchecked. In his mind, he had achieved justice, not just for Langston’s victims, but for society as a whole. 

The Social Media Response: A Nation Divided 

The aftermath of Langston’s murder saw an unexpected response. Across social media platforms, messages of support for Luigi flooded in. For many, Mangione was not a killer, but a hero—someone who had taken decisive action against an oppressive system. Hashtags like #JusticeForLuigi and #RevolutionaryHero trended, and online forums were filled with debates about whether Mangione’s actions were justified.  Indeed, Luigi’s general handsome appearance has gained many female admirers as well. 

“Sometimes you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet,” one post read. “Luigi did what the system wouldn’t do—he took down the real villain.” 

To many, the assassination was not about the killing of a man but about striking a blow against corporate America, which they saw as the true villain. The admiration for Luigi reflected a deeper societal disillusionment with institutions that were seen as corrupt and self-serving. For a surprisingly large number of people, the ends justified the means. 

Conclusion: A Reflection of a Broken Society 

The widespread support for Luigi Mangione’s actions speaks volumes about the fractured state of American society in the 21st century. In an era defined by economic inequality, political polarization, and widespread distrust in institutions, Mangione’s violent act was reframed as an act of justice. He was seen not as a murderer, but as a hero who had taken matters into his own hands when the system had failed. The myth of the heroic rebel, the lone individual fighting against the system, continues to resonate in a society where many feel disenfranchised and powerless. 

In this context, Mangione’s assassination of Victor Langston is not just a personal tragedy, but a reflection of a larger crisis. It reveals a society deeply divided by class, power, and ideology—a society in which violence, even when morally ambiguous, can be rationalized as a response to systemic failure. It also serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers of moral relativism in an era of fragmented truth, where actions are judged not by their inherent morality, but by their perceived necessity in the fight against oppression. 

In the end, Luigi Mangione’s journey from promising student to radical assassin is not just a personal tragedy, but a reflection of a broken society that has lost the trust of those it was meant to serve. His actions, and the support they garnered, force us to confront uncomfortable truths about the state of modern America—and the dangerous consequences of a society that no longer believes in the possibility of change, but is willing and able to take matters into their own hands.

May God help us.

~JH