A man over the age of 85 was killed and his wife is in critical condition after being robbed at a Nebraska highway rest stop early Wednesday morning, June 19. This was reported by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
At around 7 a.m. on Wednesday at an I-80 rest area, the attacker, who is thought to be James Thompson Jr., 22, stabbed Gary, 72, and Mary Weaver, 71. The couple said that Thompson told them, “Give me the Jeep keys,” according to a witness account that KSNB got from the affidavit. This witness also says that Thompson attacked Mary outside the RV after going inside.
The affidavit also says that a nearby semi-trailer had a dashcam video that showed the suspect going inside the RV and making a stabbing move. It was then seen that the suspect got out of the car and stabbed Mary in the side of the head, according to the statement.
The couple had both been stabbed and was found bleeding by officers from the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
After that, an ambulance took them to Grand Island Hospital. When they got there, Gary was already dead. Wednesday, the police said that Mary is still in serious condition with injuries that could kill her. Someone has been asked to do an autopsy on Gary.
The couple was taking their mobile home across Nebraska. They had been living in Eureka, Missouri.
A press release said that the “lone suspect” drove away before police got at the scene. An statement, as reported by KSNB, shows that police were able to get a description of the suspect.
The suspect was being chased by the Nebraska State Patrol until he crashed his car into the Platte River. The cops then used a dog to find Thompson. According to the Associated Press, he was arrested 30 minutes later.
Thompson was arrested and taken to the Hall County jail once he was found. He is being charged with many things, such as felony murder, attempted murder, first-degree assault, robbery, two counts of using a deadly weapon to commit a crime, attempted theft by unlawful taking, fleeing in a car to avoid arrest, willfully reckless driving, stopping at a red light, and failing to signal.
Judge Art Wetzel told Thompson he could not post a bond on Thursday, June 20. His hearing for probable cause is set for July 9. There is a study going on.
Thursday, PEOPLE asked the Hall County Sheriff’s Office for more information, but they didn’t answer right away.
