Overview

Briana Boston "Delay, Deny, Depose" Arrest refers to the December 2024 arrest of Lakeland, Florida woman Briana Boston who, following the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the detainment of the suspected shooter Luigi Mangione, told a representative on the phone of her health insurance company Blue Cross Blue Shield, "Delay, deny, depose. You people are next," referencing the words "Deny, Defend, Depose" written on the bullets at the scene of the crime. Boston was reportedly upset over a denied insurance claim and was arrested by police for threatening the healthcare company. She was charged with threats to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism. Boston's bond was set at $100,000. Her arrest sparked a viral controversy and debate on social media as many believed that law enforcement was making an example out of her. Some called her a "Luigi Mangione copycat," which also sparked viral backlash. Overall, many internet users believed that Boston was wrongfully detained as her crime was compared to more heinous violations of the law largely underinvestigated by police.

Background

On December 10th, 2024, Lakeland, Florida woman Briana Boston was charged with threats to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism because of statements she made on a call with a Blue Cross Blue Shield representative. She said, "Delay, deny, depose. You people are next," concerning the words written on the bullets used to kill UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson days earlier.

Lakeland police claimed that the FBI contacted them about Boston's phone call. She was arrested and charged with her bond set at $100,000.^[1]

According to local news outlets, Boston said that she "didn’t mean anything by it" and that she didn't even own a firearm. She was reportedly upset that some of her healthcare claims were denied. Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor was unsympathetic, saying, "Well, you don’t get to pull that back after you say it," in a statement to the press.^[1]

A local news coverage segment on Boston's detainment was shared on YouTube^[2] and X^[3] in the following days (shown below).

Online Reactions

On December 12th, 2024, X^[4] user @DouglasSoule reposted WFLA's^[1] coverage of Briana Boston's charge, gaining over 8.5 million views and 45,000 likes in a day.

The tweet amassed viral quote tweets and replies in which users levied their takes on her arrest.

For instance, on December 12th, X^[5] user @lezscum attached screenshots of Boston crying in court and an excerpt from the article stating she was a married mother of three. @lezscum wrote, "This is beyond disgusting. Briana Boston should not be in jail. How do we go about paying her bond or something? I really feel that we should be rallying behind her," gaining over 69,000 likes in a day (shown below).

Also on December 12th, 2024, X^[6] user @lindsayballant wrote, "$100k bond for this is legit chilling. They are so scared of an uprising. And she's right, they are evil…" gaining over 29,000 likes in a day (shown below).

Later on December 12th, X^[7] user @krystalball quote tweeted the abovementioned post, writing, "The arrest of a frustrated middle-class mom is a real shot across the bow from the ruling class," amassing over 5,300 likes in a day (shown below).

On December 12th, 2024, X^[3] user @CollinRugg posted the local news segment on Briana Boston and said, "She became the first Luigi Mangione copycat to be arrested." His tweet received over 11.4 million views and 27,000 likes in a day.

@CollinRugg received backlash for calling Boston a "Luigi Mangione copycat," like in a quote tweet from X^[8] user @katewillett shared on December 13th, who said, "She was jailed for being rude on a phone call get a grip." Her post gained over 32,000 likes in a few hours (shown below).

Various Reactions

Search Interest

External References