Sunday June 18, 2023
Derrick John Thompson is his 2018 mugshot.
Minneapolis (HOL) - Derrick John Thompson, the son of a former DFL State Representative, John Thompson, has been identified by sources as the suspect in a deadly hit-and-run in south Minneapolis
that claimed the lives of five young Somali women on Friday night. Thompson was previously found guilty of fleeing from police and instigating a crash in Montecito, California, back in 2018.
Three years ago, when he was 22, Thompson
eluded Ventura police after hitting a pedestrian. Although two passengers from Thompson's vehicle were apprehended, he managed to escape. The car was later found to contain over 17 pounds of marijuana and $20,000 in cash. As of Saturday night, Thompson has not been booked into jail, suggesting he may still be receiving medical treatment. Details regarding his injuries remain undisclosed.
On Friday night, police reported a high-speed vehicle on Interstate 35 near 46th Street. The vehicle exited the highway and sped through a red light, resulting in a
collision with another car. Tragically, the four adult women and one juvenile inside the vehicle did not survive the crash.
The victims,
all members of the local Somali community, were on their way back from preparing for a friend's wedding when the fatal crash occurred. Khalid Omar, director of Dar Al Farooq Islamic Center, identified the victims as 20-year-old Sahra Gesaade, 20-year-old Salma Abdikadir, 19-year-old Segal Hersey, 19-year-old Siham Adam, and 17-year-old Sabiriin Ali.
All five victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Following the crash, the suspect exited the vehicle and fled. With assistance from witnesses, Minneapolis police managed to apprehend and arrest a male suspect, who has now been identified by sources as Derrick John Thompson.
Five young women were killed when a driver ran a red light and struck their car on Friday, June 16, 2023. A State Patrol trooper first saw the suspect driver speeding northbound on Interstate 35W and followed him from the 46th Street exit to the Lake Street exit, where the suspect left the interstate and struck the women. Credit: Google Maps