Derrick John Thompson, son of former Minnesota state Representative John Thompson, has been arrested in connection with a deadly hit-and-run incident that claimed the lives of five young women in Minneapolis. This tragic event comes just three years after Thompson's conviction in a separate hit-and-run case in California.
The 27-year-old Thompson faces two counts of murder following the Friday crash where a speeding vehicle, allegedly driven by Thompson, ran a red light and fatally struck a car carrying five Somali women under the age of 20. The victims were reportedly members of the Dar Al Farooq Islamic Center.
John Thompson, father of the suspect, gained notoriety during the 2020 George Floyd protests for his activism with Black Lives Matter, including a demonstration outside the home of a police union leader. He was later elected to the state legislature but expelled from the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party caucus in 2021 due to past legal issues, including allegations of domestic assault.
Derrick Thompson's prior conviction stems from a 2018 incident in California where he fled police and caused a hit-and-run, leaving the victim with severe, life-altering injuries. He was found with a substantial amount of marijuana and cash in his vehicle at the time. Sentenced to eight years, it remains unclear why he was released prior to serving the full term.
The unauthorized release of surveillance footage capturing the Minneapolis crash is also under investigation. The footage reportedly shows the violent impact of the collision. Derrick Thompson's extensive history of driving and drug-related offenses in Minnesota adds another layer to this complex and tragic case. He awaits potential charges, which are expected to be filed soon.
