Judicial hearings in Manhattan on that day revealed that law enforcement officials connected to the arrest of the suspect were so skeptical of a tip on his whereabouts that they bantered about a reward hoagie in text messages.
"My supervisor said, 'if you apprehend the NYC gunman, I’ll purchase you a sub from a local restaurant,'" testified Officer Joseph Detwiler of the Pennsylvania police department. "In response, I said, 'Regard it accomplished.'"
In less than an sixty minutes, Detwiler learned that this apparently unreliable lead was true.
A Capture at a Fast-Food Restaurant
The suspect was captured in Pennsylvania at a McDonald's on that date in relation to the killing of Brian Thompson. The CEO's death on a New York City street on 4 December 2024 had spurred a sprawling manhunt and fueled widespread anger.
In response to dispatch's instructions, Detwiler and another officer proceeded to the McDonald's. "Upon arrival, I observed the male sitting at a booth there, near the bathrooms," Detwiler testified. The man was dressed in a large jacket, brown hat and light blue medical mask, just as the tipster had described.
Detwiler asked the man for his identification and clarified that "a person contacted authorities, they thought you were acting suspiciously". He asked for ID, which the man provided. This ID would prove to be fake.
Detwiler also asked the man to pull down his face covering. "At that moment, I realized it was him immediately," Detwiler said.
Legal Proceedings and Evidence Dispute
The officer's testimony came on the day two of a potentially weeklong hearing concerning whether proof was gathered illegally during the suspect's interaction with police. The defense lawyers have consistently pushed for the suppression of materials obtained during his detention, alleging he was not immediately informed of his legal protections.
The audio recording documenting Detwiler's call was presented in the hearing.
"There's a male in the McDonald's that looks like the New York City shooter," police dispatch told Detwiler.
Detwiler replied: "10-4. We will be on that."
When questioned about his tone, Detwiler clarified, "At the time, I was being semi-sarcastic when I responded. I did not believe it was going to be the person that they thought it was."
The Critical Moments After Identification
Detwiler testified he "stayed composed" after recognizing Mangione and called his sergeant. "Yes, he's present. It's him," Detwiler recalled stating.
On the call, Detwiler insisted that he wasn't kidding. "My supervisor was surprised, because he was the one who texted me the SMS when we got the dispatch," referencing the free sandwich.
Detwiler tried to act as casually as he could, telling the man that police were there over reports that he had been loitering too a while. Body-camera video showed the suspect consuming food.
"I asked him if it was a steak sandwich," Detwiler said. He replied affirmatively. "I then said it was my preferred item." His goal, he explained, was "just attempting to keep things calm and routine."
A Role of the Face Covering
How much of a role Mangione's face covering played in drawing attention is unclear.
When questioned about mask culture in the area, Detwiler responded, "People here don't wear masks. They have natural immunity."
And because "hardly anyone wears them" there, Detwiler understood the man they would subsequently confirm as the suspect was the individual who had caused concern. "He had a mask on," Detwiler testified. "So he must have been the man we were dispatched there for."
Defense Cross-Examination
A defense attorney, among Mangione's counsel, cross-examined Detwiler after the state wrapped its questioning. She pressed on details about his recognition of Mangione.
Agnifilo highlighted that the dispatch call was categorized as "low-priority". "The call did not seem urgent on the radio, no," Detwiler agreed. She also pointed out that lights and sirens were not activated.
Agnifilo implied through her line of inquiry that the speed of the positive ID seemed off. "It's at that moment, two seconds into seeing him, you know: he's the New York City shooter?"
Detwiler again that he knew. "No doubt in my thoughts."
Agnifilo also sought to establish that Mangione was detained without being informed of his Miranda rights. She asked about the police's physical position in the restaurant, implying they were positioned to prevent him from exiting.
Detwiler responded that he and his partner needed space. "We're not going to stand next to each other and grasp each other's hands."
