The man killed and woman critically injured in a double stabbing at a rest stop near Grand Island just after 7:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 19, have been identified by the Hall County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies were called to the westbound rest area on 4148 Interstate 80, mile marker 316 ½, on a report of a disturbance. 72-year-old Gary Weaver and 71-year-old Mary Weaver, husband and wife from Missouri, were both transported to a local hospital with stab wounds. Mr. Weaver was pronounced dead at the hospital, and Mrs. Weaver remains in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.
The lone suspect, 22-year-old James Thompson Jr., from Elyria, Ohio left the scene and was pursued by the Nebraska State Patrol and eventually apprehended. At this time, investigators believed this incident began as an attempted robbery where the victims were assaulted with a knife.
The Missouri couple had been traveling through Nebraska in their mobile home when the incident occurred.
Thompson was booked into Hall County Jail, charged with Murder in the First Degree, Attempted Murder in the First Degree, 1st degree assault, Robbery, two counts of Using a Deadly Weapon to Commit a Felony, Attempted Theft by Unlawful Taking over $5,000.00, Fleeing in a Motor Vehicle to Avoid Arrest, Willful Reckless Driving, Stop Sign Violation, and Failure to Signal.