"‘Rat Behind the Counter:’ Supporters of CEO Murder Suspect Bombard PA McDonald’s with Negative Reviews Following Tipoff"

Altoona McDonald’s Faces Backlash After Employee Tip Leads to Arrest in UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Case

A McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, is under scrutiny after an employee's tip led to the arrest of Luigi Mangione, 26, a suspect in the high-profile killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Supporters of the alleged killer have retaliated by bombarding the fast-food chain with a wave of negative and politically charged Google reviews, prompting Google to take action.

According to Penn Live, Mangione was arrested at the McDonald’s after an employee alerted authorities about a customer who was reportedly carrying a weapon and writings connecting him to the Manhattan murder. The employee’s tip resulted in Mangione’s capture, but also sparked widespread online backlash.

At least five McDonald’s locations in Altoona saw their Google ratings plummet as reviews flooded in, many featuring incendiary comments about the case. In response, a Google spokesperson stated, “These reviews violate our policies and have been removed,” citing rules against fake or coordinated review campaigns.

One review read:

“This fast food restaurant houses a traitor among its employees. The working class has betrayed humanity.”

Another quipped:

“Very large rat behind the counter. Not very nutritional food. I’ve heard the employees get free food for working a shift—hope they have health insurance to cover the future heart attacks…oh wait.”

A third reviewer added:

“The staff accused me of assassinating a CEO. Incredibly unprofessional and class-traitor staff.”

While the motive behind the killing remains unclear, the incident has intensified a national conversation about frustrations with health insurance companies. Many criticize their perceived prioritization of profits and executive bonuses over customers’ medical needs. Some have even cast Mangione as a folk hero, while others condemn the glorification of violence and highlight the tragedy for Thompson’s family.

Mangione, a University of Pennsylvania graduate, faces a gun charge in Blair County after authorities found a ghost gun during his arrest. He is scheduled for a court hearing soon.

The McDonald’s employee who tipped off authorities may be eligible for a $50,000 FBI reward for information leading to the arrest. Meanwhile, the backlash mirrors criticism faced by an Upper West Side hostel in New York City, where Mangione allegedly stayed and whose staff were similarly labeled “narcs” for cooperating with police.

The case continues to fuel debates over corporate accountability, public outrage, and the ethical implications of violent responses to systemic issues.