A man was killed and his wife was in critical condition after a brutal attack in their RV at a Nebraska highway rest stop on Wednesday morning, June 19. The incident occurred around 7 a.m. at an Interstate 80 rest area near Grand Island, according to a press release from the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
The victims, Gary Weaver, 72, and Mary Weaver, 71, residents of Eureka, Missouri, were allegedly attacked by a suspect identified as James Thompson Jr., 22, of Elyria, Ohio. According to a witness statement, Thompson demanded the keys to the couple’s Jeep, being towed behind their RV, before assaulting them.
Inside the RV, deputies discovered Gary Weaver with severe wounds to his chest and head. Despite immediate medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Grand Island. Outside the vehicle, Mary Weaver was found bleeding on the ground. She was initially in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, but her condition has improved to stable.
Thompson fled the rest area in a Ford Focus before law enforcement arrived. However, a Nebraska State Trooper soon spotted him exiting the highway at Wood River. Thompson led police on a chase, reaching speeds of 120 mph, before crashing into the Platte River. He was apprehended nearby, with blood on his shirt and several cuts on his hands.
On Thursday morning, Thompson was formally charged with first-degree murder and ten other felonies related to the attack. He is being held without bond. He is currently represented by the Hall County public defender, who has declined to comment on the case.
The Weavers had been traveling across Nebraska when the attack occurred. According to family members, they were heading to Oregon to visit their son. They loved traveling all over the U.S. in their RV, and this was their first trip since the pandemic.
The couple’s daughter, Victoria Eudy, told KSDK-TV that the two had been together for 46 years. “The only thing that could help is, it’s hard seeing reporting that doesn’t include what an incredible person and father my dad was,” Eudy said in a statement to the station. “He was a well-known musician in the ’70s, playing with The Walter Scott Band, and a longtime pianist for Third Baptist Church, for example, not to mention what an incredible father and grandpa he was.” He leaves behind a daughter, a son, and one grandchild.
This tragic event has shocked the community, raising concerns about safety at rest stops and the prevalence of violent crime. Authorities continue to investigate the incident.
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My prayers and heart go out to the victims and their family. To the prosecutors: please do not offer any plea deals in this case. Minimum of life in prison, no parole. There is no rehabilitation that could justify ever releasing such a monster.
An eye for an eye is a better deal for the culprit in this case.
That’s right. Straight from the courtroom to the gas chamber.
“That’s right. Straight from the courtroom to the gas chamber.”
Gas is expensive. Now rope? There’s quite a bit of that just layin’ around. And it’s reusable!
That should make the greenies happy, reusable resource.
Where’s my 9mm? I know and you don’t.
This is unacceptable. Justice must be served
One thing that Trump left us down with was a national Concealed Carry Permit. Then we would be able to carry a concealed weapon for protection in any state. You never know when or where you’ll meet a wack job criminal and need to defend your self or help others.
Since you brought the subject up, here’s my 2 cents. He also let us down by not having Mexico pay for that complete border wall…and oh yeah… how about that beautiful replacement for Obamacare that was only two weeks away. Oh….and no infrastructure bill or tax relief bill for the middle class that was promised…but he was responsible for removing the rights of all women to have their own responsibilities over their own bodies. Yep, did a really fantastic job didn’t he? A national Concealed Carry Permit would allow all those who have no business having a weapon to not only have one but also give them the opportunity to use it at will. Good idea!
There’s a long list of accomplishments PDJT did manage to put forth even with a Nancy Pelosi Congress, you might want to look up the list.
Solitary Confinement for life! Yes it is cruel and unusual, so is his crime.
Incredibly tragic story and I’m deeply saddened for the family. This is life in America, the kid was probably high on methamphetamine with no regard or respect for life. In our modern society, with the lack of guidance and discipline and absence of God, we’re raising a bunch of monsters. I saw this coming years ago and here we are. I carry safely and legally, and also prepared to use deadly force to defend myself and my loved ones. But, I hope and pray it never comes that.
As an atheist I find this comment not only insulting but ridiculous
As a Christian I respect your choice and I don’t even need one of those elusive
F-15’s for personal protection.
F-15 or AR-15 Cancel ?
An F-15 would work, too, but might “overdo” it just a little.🤔😉🤣 –Diane
I was referring to speech by #46 earlier this month about F-15’s and the 2nd, but yes, AR-15 is a fine weapon too. Personally I’m an M-4 kinda guy but both are good choices.
I knew EXACTLY what you were referring to and can you imagine if #45 would have uttered those words? Who’s the fascist here?
It’s such a crazy statement. 90 million ppl with 500 million small arms can probably get the job done without F15s. Assuming we have lead…. it was such a disconnected and irrational statement. Fear mongering at its finest.
✌️🇺🇸
ramble, ramble, freeze, … We Beat Medicare.
OMG. All I could feel was empathy or pity in those moments, and some fear for our nation. Talk about an entire country being gaslit by the MSM for 3 years.
I have an AR-15. But in my MH I’d probably want my Canik Mete SFx handy. Of course my F-I-L, when they full-timed traveled with a short barrel shotgun (increased chance of not missing the perp who breaks in to attack you).
Mossberg Shockwave is a nice way to own a “sawed-of shotgun” without the tax stamp.
Mossberg Shockwave 590S with #4 buckshot in Aguilar mini-shells. Nasty little hand-held claymore mine…
Carrying all the time and trained to use it.
What does religious belief (or lack there of) have to do with what people are doing to protect themselves (I’m insulted by your comment)? In this country, at least for now, a person has the right to protect themselves, their loved ones and innocent bystanders with any means necessary to accomplish these goals. The US Constitution grants us that right and the government “shall not infringe” on that right. I have that right and I am trained to protect myself and others with any means necessary, up to and including, deadly force.
Pammy, you just made my point.
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Yes, she did make your point Matt.
Spot on. Always be aware of your surroundings, especially at places like rest stops and gas stations, and be prepared to immediately and decisively do what needs to be done at a moment’s notice.
I saw this coming and related same to my wife, the day the President signed the bill to end the military draft! While the system needed some serious attention as VN taught us – that was fixable. How do we now fix the undisciplined, untrained non-patriotic youth, coming out of HS and colleges, who are now ruthless adults? Six weeks of basic military training sets a first time away from home kid on a trail of respect, understanding and the knowledge of how to do things right. Yes, I know there are exceptions – but let’s deal within the volume of realities and successes!
Agreed! I’m for it as we don’t even have the BOY Scouts anymore that help young boys to become young men. I believe Isreal has a mandatory service for their youth, it truly makes a difference.
My heart goes out to the families after this horrible tragedy.
I am in a state of shock…societal breakdown.
After posting this, “How To Protect Yourself” would be a great idea for an upcoming article! How did the assailant get into the RV ?? More info please ……
Step 1: Always be aware of your surroundings and don’t trust strangers. Step 2: Buy a firearm (if you don’t already own one) and – this is important – LEARN HOW TO USE IT EFFECTIVELY!
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 Oh my! Tragic beyond words and almost unbelievable. 😯😲🙁😟😥😢 It seems flippant on the heels of this story, but I do wish you a wonderful weekend and SAFE travels, Gail!
Do we know if this was a big roadside park with restrooms and vending machines or a small dirt one? I’m just curious.
We pull into the large ones most of the time to stretch our legs and walk the dogs. It never crossed my mind about someone robbing or entering the RV with out us knowing. At Petro and large gas stations, we always chat with the big rig guys, I alway feel safe when we are parked next to them. Most the time we both go into the station and leave the door unlocked. But we are definitely rethinking this. Been RVing “ not full time” for 24 years and have never had any issues with a crazy person.
So sad… it’s definitely gotten my attention on being trusting while we park.
The article indicates Gary attempted to prevent the Jeep theft by using a knife. That is actually illegal and used against him. If Gary was able to simply drive away or gave him the jeep he would have still been alive to day. Don’t open the door to strangers. Important individuals will announce themselves. Suspicious, call police for help. Drive away and live another day.
Are you saying that Dead Gary should have had a gun instead of a knife? Or, if Dead Gary survived, Dead Gary should have been charged with a knife crime? Should Dead Gary have just sucked it up and handed over the JEEP keys and paid his $1,000.00 deductible and how many times? 1 JEEP per week? 1 JEEP per month? What is the acceptable number of deductibles for one to pay before defending one’s property?
Pretty offensive that you blame Dead Gary for his crime of defending himself, his wife and his property with an illegal knife.
I didn’t see anything about Gary having a knife.
Not illegal at all. Look up Nebraska law concerning the use of deadly force. Perhaps Gary’s only error was being too kind, too trusting, and not having/utilizing a firearm. One can only hope terrible stories such as this one wake more people up to becoming deadly serious about protecting themselves and their loved ones.
Nobody should be forced by the laws to be a helpless “good little victim”. All law-abiding adults should be allowed to be armed anyplace they have any business being, because – guess what – the criminals sure as he** aren’t obeying the laws (it’s already illegal to rob and murder people). When seconds count, the police (at best) are only minutes away.
The interstate hiway system is a marvelous road system developed for the primary purpose of moving military equipment and evacuations – however, it easily transports the worst of the worst like this animal. (Who murdered an elderly man and beat his wife too at an I rest stop!) Roger, below, said it with “…always be aware of your surroundings,….”. Situational awareness is the rule no matter where we go with what seems like everyone carrying a weapon of some sort. What have we done to our country, to our serene lives and trusting natures? These are such tragic stories – the I-80 rest area murder and what we have done to our country! Sad, Sad, Sad!
When stopping at rest areas, we use our own facilities and rarely exit our motorhome. If we do get out, it is at a stop where there are quite a few people around. We are always very aware of our surroundings and anyone just wandering around.
Having a plan and practicing varied responses to violent behaviors does not mean you are paranoid. The fact that you may never have had a violent encounter does not mean it can’t or won’t happen. Love everyone but be ready for evil. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst. It will increase your odds of surviving an unlikely, but potentially, fatal incident. There are many ways to equip for the event that do NOT include firearms. Firearms are not for everyone and require hours of training and acceptance of exceptional levels of responsibility. Ask a self-defense expert about current technology in non-lethal devices. If considering a firearm, always take training BEFORE purchasing.
Exactly. Same idea that keeping a fire extinguisher around does NOT mean you expect your house to burn down. It’s better to have it, and never need it, than to need it and not have it!
I am 71 and this is why I have a CWP and am armed 99% of the time.
I’ve been thinking about this since I first read the article yesterday morning…and it bothers me that not one of the witnesses stepped up to help the couple out..
This is why, nowadays, it’s not a good idea to travel – or even leave the house – unarmed and unprepared for things like this. Far too many crazies and other violent criminals running around loose. I’d rather defend my actions in front of a jury for defending myself and my loved ones than be the star attraction at my own funeral.
I have worked out a plan , into my travel stops. Situational awareness, + no getting out after dark, . Don’t open the door to anybody. Stun gun.Even hornet spray but if it’s danger with evil intent , my Glock is going to have to be my protector. Evil exists. Especially when it seems they can get away with it.
Try not to Show all the nice stuff you own, “opportunity makes a thief”.
And the country now has many more troubled drugged and lawless people. Leaving trash is more of that attitude.
I like the idea of travelling in groups. But campground camping is just a parking lot experience anymore.