Additional Coverage:
- Man, 22, is accused of attacking elderly couple with a knife at an rest stop killing one (newsbreak.com)
In Nebraska, a violent attempted robbery at a highway rest stop resulted in the death of a 72-year-old Missouri man and left his 71-year-old wife fighting for her life. The elderly couple, Gary and Mary Weaver from Eureka, Missouri, were assaulted by an armed assailant while parked at a rest area along Interstate 80. This tragic incident occurred at about 7 a.m. on Wednesday, as confirmed by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
Upon arriving at the crime scene, deputies discovered the Weavers suffering from several stab wounds. Despite being rushed to Grand Island Regional Hospital, Gary Weaver succumbed to his injuries.
An autopsy is forthcoming. Mary Weaver, meanwhile, was critically injured and remains in a life-threatening condition.
Authorities swiftly identified 22-year-old James Thompson Jr. from Elyria, Ohio, as the primary suspect. Thompson was on the run but was captured by the Nebraska State Patrol shortly after the incident.
In a high-speed pursuit, law enforcement officers chased a vehicle matching the suspect’s description at speeds reaching 120 mph. The chase concluded when the suspect’s vehicle crashed into the Platte River.
Approximately 30 minutes later, a police dog located Thompson.
Following his capture, Thompson was charged with several serious offenses, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and robbery, and was detained in the Hall County Jail.
The Nebraska State Patrol commended the collaborative efforts of the troopers and Hall County deputies in apprehending the suspect swiftly, expressing their condolences to the victims and their family through a social media post. Authorities are continuing their investigation into this heinous crime.