Man Dead And Woman Critically Injured After Stabbing At Rest Stop

GRAND ISLAND- On Wednesday, at 7:08 a.m. Hall County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 4148 Interstate 80, mile marker 316 westbound rest area in reference to a disturbance.

Deputies contacted victims on scene, and it was determined two victims had suffered wounds from an assault with a knife. One victim, 72-year-old Gary Weaver of Eureka Missouri, suffered fatal injuries from the assault and was pronounced dead at the hospital. His wife, 71-year-old Mary Weaver, also from Eureka Missouri, suffered life threatening injuries and was transported to Grand Island Regional Hospital where she remains in critical condition. The lone suspect, 22 year old male, James Thompson Jr., of Elyria Ohio, fled the scene and was pursued and apprehended by the Nebraska State Patrol. At this time, it is believed this started as an attempted robbery where the victims were assaulted with a knife.

Thompson Jr. has been booked into Hall County Jail for First Degree Murder, First Degree Attempted Murder, Robbery, Use of a Deadly Weapon to Commit a Felony, Attempted Theft by Unlawful Taking, Fleeing in a Motor Vehicle to Avoid Arrest, Willful Reckless Driving, along with traffic violations.