Michigan man accused of stabbing company boss in possible ‘copycat’ crime after UnitedHealthcare CEO murder

close Video

Michigan man stabs boss during staff meeting, police say

Investigators haven’t dismissed the possibility the stabbing was a ‘copycat’ crime after the UnitedHealthcare CEO killing. (WXMI)

A Michigan man allegedly stabbed the president of the company he worked for in the middle of a meeting in a possible “copycat” attack that mirrors the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Erik Denslow, who heads the Anderson Express Inc. manufacturing company in Muskegon, was stabbed during a staff meeting Tuesday, the Fruitport Township Police Department said in a statement.

“We haven’t ruled out a copycat motive in regards to this,” police Deputy Chief Greg Poulson told News 8 on Wednesday. “I think that comes to everyone’s mind in this time.”

UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO MURDER SUSPECT LUIGI MANGIONE FACING NEW CHARGES IN NEW YORK

Nathan Mahoney, 32, in jail. Mahoney is accused of stabbing the boss of the company he worked for during a staff meeting.  (Credit: WXMI)

Denslow underwent surgery and remains in serious but stable condition, police said. 

The suspect, identified as Nathan Mahoney, 32, was at the staff meeting around 9:20 a.m. when he got up and left. He returned 10 minutes later, walked up to Denslow and allegedly stabbed him in his side, the news outlet reported. 

Mahoney fled in his vehicle but was stopped by police and arrested 15 minutes later, police said. He had only worked for the company a few weeks. 

UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO MURDER SUSPECT COULD SEE MOST SERIOUS CHARGE DOWNGRADED: DEFENSE ATTORNEY

Fellow employees described the suspect as having a quiet demeanor. Investigators have not determined a motive for the attack. However, they were not ruling out a possible copycat attack. 

“We’re going through all his social accounts, all his electronic media and trying to determine a motive for this act,” Poulson said. 

Anderson Express in Muskegon, Mich. (Credit: WXMI)

Denslow joined the company in January 2022 as vice president and general manager, according to his LinkedIn profile. He was promoted to president within a year. 

Anderson Express works with the automotive and defense sectors. Fox News Digital has reached out to the company. In a statement to Fox 17, the company said it was still in “shock” over the incident. 

“Our first thought is with our president, who has a good prognosis for a full and speedy recovery,” the statement said. “We are also focused on supporting our employees as they process this senseless assault.

Manhoney was charged with assault with intent to murder and fleeing. He is being held in the Muskegon County Jail on $501,000 bond. 

Luigi Mangione, 26, is charged with first-degree murder in New York in the Dec. 4 execution of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (David Dee Delagado for Fox News Digital/Businesswire)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The incident had similarities to the Dec. 4 killing of Thompson, who was shot and killed in New York City. The suspected gunman, Luigi Mangione, was extradited from Pennsylvania to New York Thursday.

Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to louis.casiano@fox.com.