What's New
A GiveSendGo fundraiser created for alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter Luigi Mangione received more donations in its first 24 hours than a GoFundMe for victims of the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
Why It Matters
One teacher and a teenage student died Monday when suspected shooter Natalie "Samantha" Rupnow, 15, opened fire at ALCS before killing herself on Monday. Six other people were injured in the shooting with two students experiencing life-threatening injuries.
On Tuesday, Mangione, 26, was charged in New York with first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism for allegedly killing UHC CEO Brian Thompson on December 4. If convicted, Mangione could be facing life imprisonment without parole.
What To Know
The December 4 Legal Committee, a group composed of 15 volunteers from around the country formed after Thompson's death, created its Mangione GiveSendGo fundraiser to help the Ivy League grad with his legal fees.
Mangione was arrested on December 9, and in the first 24 hours after his arrest, the page received about $6,000 in donations. Multiple givers added messages of support for Mangione, who some say is a hero, with their donations, including "Free Luigi" and "You deserve a fair and legal trial."
At the time of publication, Mangione's GiveSendGo fundraiser has raised nearly $151,000 towards its updated $500,000 goal.
In the first 24 hours of the Landphier-created ALCS GoFundMe fundraiser, the page received only $80 in donations. The page does not allow donors to write a message along with their contribution.
The ALCS GoFundMe has raised $210 toward its $5,000 goal at the time of publication.
What People Are Saying
Landphier on ALCS' GoFundMe Page: "As a parent of ALCS's sister school, Lighthouse Christian School, I personally know the students at ALCS. I am not at liberty to release names, but I can share that one of the students in critical condition has a close relationship to LCS."
"I will be using the funds to purchase meals, groceries, gift cards, jackets, etc. as the list is updated and deliver it to the school or church. Anything remaining after necessities are covered will be given to the United Way fund to be distributed by the school as they see fit."
Landphier declined to provide further comment when contacted through Facebook by Newsweek.
"The GoFundMe says all I wish to speak on. I simply want to help those in need as someone who has been the recipient of help in an emergency situation in the past," Landphier wrote.
Sam Beard, December 4 Legal Committee Spokesperson to Newsweek in an email: "To see why this fundraiser is important, simply take a look at all the other crowdfunding campaigns in the U.S. The vast majority are for medical expenses from people in desperate situations, the exact situations that insurance theoretically should protect against. It doesn't."
"The medical insurance industry is a scheme to profit off pain, sickness and death. It doesn't work for anyone but the people at the top."
GiveSendGo Communications Director Alex Shipley in an email, "At GiveSendGo, we believe everyone is entitled to due process in a court of law—not in the court of public opinion. To be absolutely clear, we do not support or condone vigilante justice."
"However, people do have a constitutional right to a strong legal defense, and access to that defense should not be limited to the wealthy or those who fit a specific narrative. Our responsibility is to provide individuals and their communities the opportunity to fundraise for that defense, because true justice is only served when everyone has equal access to a fair trial—regardless of the verdict."
What Happens Next
Madison Police Chief Shaun Barnes said Rupnow's father and family members are cooperating with their investigation. Police are working to figure out a motive for the school shooting.
Mangione has an extradition hearing in Pennslyvania on Thursday.
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