Video shows music fans after concert, not celebration of CEO killing

"NYC coming together to dance in the streets over the universal American love of (skull emoji) CEOs," says text over the video shared December 8, 2024 on TikTok.

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Screenshot from TikTok taken December 12, 2024

The post, which references the fatal shooting of the health insurance executive on a Manhattan street, racked up more than four million views. Similar posts ricocheted across TikTok and other sites, including Instagram, X and YouTube.

Thompson, 50, was gunned down as he prepared to address investors in the US financial capital, triggering a nationwide manhunt that concluded when police arrested suspect Luigi Mangione at a McDonald's restaurant in the state of Pennsylvania. Police charged the 26-year-old with murder, among other violations, and have listed a "life-changing" back injury as a possible motivation.

Thompson's slaying has exposed widespread public frustration with the US medical system, with many online sharing jokes and venting about the nation's largely private setup. Mangione, who attended the elite University of Pennsylvania and reportedly comes from a wealthy family, carried a handwritten manifesto of grievances against the industry.

But the video of New Yorkers singing and dancing is unrelated.

Reverse image searches revealed comedian Rachael Burke posted the original footage to Instagram on November 21 -- nearly two weeks before Thompson's killing (archived here). Text over her version of the video reads: "Sidewalk party after the Natasha Bedingfield concert... nyc is unparalleled."

The people in the clip are singing along to Bedingfield's 2004 hit song "Unwritten." Bedingfield reposted the video December 12 on Instagram (archived here).

"Everyone has been sending me the same video from a hundred different POVs," the British singer-songwriter wrote. "My amazing crowd keeping the party going in the NYC streets after my New York show."

AFP geolocated the footage to the corner of East 11th Street and 3rd Avenue near The Dolar Shop and The Smith, two restaurants seen in the shot (archived here). Bedingfield hosted a concert November 20 marking the 20th anniversary of "Unwritten" at nearby Webster Hall (archived here and here).

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Screenshot from Instagram taken December 13, 2024, with elements outlined by AFP

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Screenshot from Google Maps Street View taken December 13, 2024, with elements outlined by AFP

Burke confirmed to AFP that the footage is hers and shared the original video file, as well as other shots she snapped of the same crowd. She also shared a screenshot of her ticket to Bedingfield's event.

The metadata of Burke's original file confirms the clip was filmed the night of November 20 at geocoordinates matching the location.

Burke's Instagram page includes a second video of the crowd (archived here). Other TikTok videos also show the group of people singing and dancing to Bedingfield's tune on the block (archived here and here).

Read more of AFP's reporting on misinformation in the United States here.