As part of a probable “copycat” attack that is similar to the one that resulted in the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a man from Michigan is accused of stabbing the president of the company for which he worked while the meeting was in progress.
According to a statement released by the Fruitport Township Police Department, Erik Denslow, who is the head of the manufacturing company Anderson Express Inc. in Muskegon, was stabbed on Tuesday when the officers were meeting with their employees.
“We haven’t ruled out a copycat motive in regards to this,” police Deputy Chief Greg Poulson stated on Wednesday. “I think that comes to everyone’s mind in this time.”
Denslow underwent surgery, and according to the police, his condition is still considered to be serious but stable.
At approximately 9:20 in the morning, the suspect, who has been named as Nathan Mahoney, 32, was present at the staff meeting. He then got up and left. It was reported by the news outlet that he returned ten minutes later, approached Denslow, and allegedly stabbed him in the side.
After attempting to flee in his vehicle, Mahoney was apprehended by law enforcement fifteen minutes later, according to the police. He had only been employed by the company for a short period of time.
Employees who worked with the suspect characterized him as having a calm and collected manner.
The investigators have not been able to establish a reason for the attack till now. Despite this, they did not completely rule out the possibility of a copycat strike.
“We’re going through all his social accounts, all his electronic media and trying to determine a motive for this act,” Poulson stated.
In accordance with his LinkedIn page, Denslow began his employment with the company in January 2022, taking on the roles of vice president and general manager. Within a year, he was elevated to the position of president.
The defense industry and the automotive industry are both clients of Anderson Express. The business said in a statement that it was still in “shock” over the incident.
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“Our first thought is with our president, who has a good prognosis for a full and speedy recovery,” according to the statement. “We are also focused on supporting our employees as they process this senseless assault.
Both escape and assault with the intent to murder were charges that were brought against Manhoney. He is currently being held in the Muskegon County Jail on a bond of fifty thousand dollars.
There were parallels to be drawn between this episode and the murder of Thompson, which took place on December 4 in New York City. Thompson was shot and killed.
Thursday marked the day that Luigi Mangione, the person accused of carrying out the shooting, was brought from Pennsylvania to New York.