A 72-year-old Missouri man tragically lost his life [1], and his wife was critically injured in a violent stabbing during an attempted robbery at a rest stop on Interstate 80 in Nebraska. The suspect, James Thompson Jr., a 22-year-old from Elyria, Ohio, is now facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder. Posts to X show the alleged knife-wielder:
72-year-old Missouri man has died, and his wife was critically injured after being stabbed during an attempted robbery at a rest stop on Interstate 80 in Nebraska.
James Thompson Jr., 22, of Elyria, Ohio, is now in custody on multiple charges, including first-degree murder. pic.twitter.com/hs3HKvlDom [2]
— Ｎｅｒｄｙ 🅰🅳🅳🅸🅲🆃 (@Nerdy_Addict) June 20, 2024 [3]
The incident occurred on Wednesday morning in Doniphan. The Hall County Sheriff’s Department reported that deputies responded to a disturbance call at 4148 I-80 around 7 a.m. Upon arrival, they found two victims with severe knife wounds. The deceased has been identified as Gary Weaver from Eureka, Missouri, who succumbed to his injuries at Grand Island Regional Hospital. His wife, 71-year-old Mary Weaver, is fighting for her life and remains in critical condition at the same hospital.
Authorities believe the assault began as an attempted robbery while the couple was traveling through Nebraska in their mobile home. Thompson allegedly fled the scene in a vehicle before law enforcement arrived. However, Grand Island Police Captain Dean Elliott noted that officers could obtain a vehicle description.
The Nebraska State Patrol pursued a vehicle matching the description near Wood River, with speeds reaching up to 120 mph. The chase ended when the vehicle left the interstate and drove into the Platte River. State troopers, with the assistance of a police dog, apprehended Thompson about 30 minutes later. Thompson is now detained and faces charges including first-degree murder, attempted murder, robbery, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, and willful reckless driving.