A man arrested in connection with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has been named.

The insurance executive was shot dead in New York on Wednesday by a masked man who fled on foot, then got on a bicycle and disappeared into Central Park. Officials later suspected he had fled the city on the bus.

Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested at a McDonald’s this morning carrying an ID card bearing his name and fake IDs allegedly linked to the murder, law enforcement officials told The New York Times.

As the manhunt continues into its sixth day, the 26-year-old was found to be in possession of a “manifesto” and a weapon similar to the one used in the assassination attempt is being withheld for questioning by authorities in Altoona, Pennsylvania , as reported by several outlets.

Mr. Mangione was arrested on local charges, The New York Times reported, and the NYPD is expected to send investigators to the central Pennsylvania city, 100 miles east of Pittsburgh.

The New York Police Department had no update for the media, while the Altoona Police Department did not respond to requests for comment.

New York Mayor Eric Adams is expected to provide an update at 1:30 p.m. EST.

CNN reported that the man was traveling by bus in the Keystone State when he was stopped by police, who found the gun, a silencer and several fake IDs.

The man was allegedly recognized by a McDonald’s employee who called police.

The gun used by the assassin who shot Mr. Thompson was reportedly a VP9: a gun sold to veterinarians to kill wounded animals, modeled after a World War II spy gun. They can be purchased online for around $5,700.

The man was also found with a handwritten manifesto criticizing health care companies for putting profits over care, officials told The New York Times.

Last week, investigators investigating the murder recovered DNA samples from a water bottle believed to have been discarded by the masked killer as he fled the scene, as well as bullets.

A Starbucks coffee cup used by the shooter was also examined for DNA evidence, sources told the New York Post.

If the DNA samples can be matched to the man interviewed, they could prove the killer’s identity.

Meanwhile, if the gun he was allegedly carrying can be linked to the ballistics of bullets recovered from the crime scene, it could prove crucial evidence to prosecute the man.

Police refused to confirm reports that bullet casings left at the scene after the CEO was shot were engraved with the words “delay” and “denial” – phrases often used by insurance companies to deny claims.

CNN reported that one of the identification documents the man was carrying could match the fake ID the killer used to check into a hostel the day before the attack.

A CCTV image of the suspect grinning at a hostel staff member earned him the nickname “the smiling assassin” in the tabloids.

Joe Kenny, New York’s chief detective, told the New York Post on Saturday that the killer may have been a “disgruntled employee or disgruntled customer” of UnitedHealthcare.

The masked gunman arrived around 9 p.m. on a cross-country bus that departed Atlanta, Georgia, on November 24th.

After fleeing the scene, the killer left the park near 77th Street while still on the bicycle, Mr. Kenny told CNN. He was then seen walking further north before taking a taxi to a bus stop near 178th Street and Broadway.

Mr Kenny said police had video of him entering a bus station on the day of the attack but not leaving, leading to the theory that he had left the city.

“These buses are intercity buses,” Mr Kenny said. “That’s why we believe he may have left New York City.”

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, savings and more.