The man accused of killing an insurance firm chief in New York has been charged with murder as an act of terrorism.

Luigi Mangione is suspected of shooting Brian Thompson, chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, on 4 December.

He had already been charged with murder but the terror allegation is new.

Police arrested him after a manhunt that ended with them finding the 26-year-old in a McDonald’s.

The indictment also accused Mangione of murdering Mr Thompson to “influence the policy of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion”.

Manhattan’s district attorney Alvin Bragg said this type “of premeditated, targeted gun violence cannot and will not be tolerated”.

“This was a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation,” he later added at a press conference.

“It occurred in one of the most bustling parts of our city, threatened the safety of local residents and tourists alike, commuters and businesspeople just starting out on their day.”

Mangione’s lawyer in New York, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, has not commented.

He is currently being held on gun charges in Pennsylvania, but Mr Bragg’s office is seeking his extradition to New York.

‘No heroism’ in ‘cowardly’ attack

Mangione was charged with murder on 9 December for the killing of Mr Thompson outside a hotel in Manhattan, before a company conference was set to kick off.

According to friends and posts on social media, he suffered from chronic back pain affecting his daily life – though it’s not clear if this played a role in the shooting.

The incident has turned the spotlight on the health insurance industry, with some online appearing to glorify Mangione’s alleged actions.

New York City’s police commissioner Jessica Tisch said there is “no heroism” in the killing.

“We have seen a shocking and appalling celebration of cold-blooded murder,” she added.

“Social media has erupted with praise for this cowardly attack.

“People ghoulishly plastered posters threatening the CEOs, other CEOs with an X over Mr Thompson’s picture as though he was some sort of a sick trophy.”

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.