UPDATE: Sheriff identifies victims in fatal Grand Island rest stop stabbing
UPDATE 3:45 p.m. June 19: The Hall County Sheriff is releasing more information about a fatal stabbing at a Grand Island rest stop.
A news release says the victims are Gary and Mary Weaver, a married couple from Eureka, Mo. The couple had been traveling through Nebraska in their mobile home when the incident occurred. Gary died and Mary was in critical condition as of the initial release at 10:45 a.m.
The updated news release says 22-year-old James Thompson Jr. of Ohio is booked in the Hall County on 11 charges including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault and robbery.
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GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — One person has died after authorities say he was stabbed during an attempted robbery at an Interstate 80 rest stop.
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded a disturbance at a westbound rest area south of Grand Island around 7:00 Wednesday morning. A news release says an ambulance transported two victims to a local hospital. A 72-year-old man died from his injuries. A 71-year-old woman suffered life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition. Both victims are from Eureka, Mo.
According to the news release, deputies identified 22-year-old James Thompson Jr. of Elyria, Ohio as the lone suspect. They say he drove away from the scene but state troopers pursued him and arrested him.
The Sheriff’s Office says they believe the incident started as an attempted robbery and the victims were assaulted with a knife.