Mineral Wells Index, Mineral Wells, TX

Homepage

Related Photos

  • Thompson

    Thompson, Keith.jpg

The Index welcomes comments. Inappropriate language or comments outside our standards will be removed.

comments powered by Disqus
December 21, 2011

Family reacts to shooting

Sheriff Mercer confirmed as officer who fired on suspect

Mineral Wells Index

MINERAL WELLS — Christin Coyne | ccoyne@weatherforddemocrat.com

WEATHERFORD – Keith Thompson’s family, initially told Sunday he died in a car wreck in Palo Pinto County following a pursuit, found out Tuesday morning from local newspaper accounts that Thompson’s death was a result of a shot fired by a law enforcement officer.

The Weatherford Democrat carried the Mineral Wells Index's story published Tuesday about Sunday's pursuit and shooting. That was how the family learned how Thompson actually died – the day after his 21st birthday.

Thompson, a Weatherford resident, reportedly took a truck Sunday morning from a convenience store on Interstate 20 near Santo before leading authorities on a pursuit from Palo Pinto County, through Parker County and into Tarrant County then back through Parker and into Palo Pinto counties.

Thompson was fatally shot in the head on Farm-to-Market Road 4 south of Lone Camp.

Palo Pinto County District Attorney Mike Burns confirmed Tuesday that Palo Pinto County Sheriff Ira Mercer fired at Thompson just before he crashed the vehicle. Burns declined to provide more details about the shooting, citing the ongoing investigation.

The family said they’ve been told little by officials and didn’t know Thompson had been shot or the Texas Rangers were investigating until reading an online article the day after the results of the preliminary autopsy report were released to the media.

While struggling to find answers about Thompson’s actions and what happened to the young man around the time of his death, Thompson’s immediate family was allowed to view his body Tuesday and began planning services.

“Everybody is at a loss for words,” Niki Grimes, Thompson’s cousin by marriage, said.

Thompson, a 2009 Weatherford High School graduate, was raised in a good family, lived in an apartment behind his parent’s house and had celebrated his 21st birthday with friends Saturday night, according to Grimes.

“If you ever met Keith, he’s a gentle giant,” Grimes said of the six-and-a-half foot man who carpooled with her husband every day.

“He’s probably one of the funniest people I know,” Grimes said.

Thompson was a “simple, social guy” with many friends, according to Grimes.

It seemed unlike Thompson to take a truck with a woman inside, the family said. Thompson later returned the woman to the convenience store before reportedly leading law enforcement on a multi-county chase.

His family readily admits Thompson had an anger issue – which they said landed him in trouble during an assault on a neighbor, leading to a conviction on a charge of burglary of a habitation while intending another felony and costing him about six months in the Parker County Jail.

On 10 years probation after being released from jail in February, Thompson made his regular probation meetings and did drug testing, according to the family.

“Everybody was so optimistic and so hopeful,” Grimes said.

Thompson, an electrician, worked for Cummings Electric and had recently been transferred to work at the Alliance Hospital site.

Members of South Side Baptist Church in Weatherford, where Thompson’s father often volunteers and Thompson was a member, have stepped up to provide support for the family, according to Grimes.

The Texas Ranger investigation of the incident is expected to take about three to four weeks and the matter will be presented to a grand jury shortly after the results are presented to the district attorney’s office, according to Burns.

Visitation is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel in Weatherford. Funeral service is 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Text Only
News Toppers

Local News
Local Sports
Haylee Fowler Picther.jpg

Perrin sophomore pitcher Haylee Fowler earned All-District 8-A second team honors.

Education
  • WC teachersimage002.jpg WC faculty, staff  honored for teaching, leadership excellence  

    Eight faculty and staff from Weatherford College have been recognized by The National Institute for Staff & Organizational Development for teaching and leadership excellence and were honored at WC Commencement May 11.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • Gagapic.jpg Travis goes Ga-ga

    The Travis Elementary TNT (Travis News Team) proudly donated a Ga-ga ball pit to the Travis campus.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • DEC_2128.jpg Community shows support at annual DEC rally

    Entertainment and advocacy merged to form the second annual Call to Action Rally Thursday evening at Mineral Wells High School.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • **2013-05-14 18.18.28.jpg MWISD trustees experience Travis’ talent

    Each month a Mineral Wells ISD campus helps open the school board meeting with pledges to the American and Texas flags, and typically follows up by highlighting successes at that campus.

    May 20, 2013 2 Photos

Online Only
  • Norman-Tornado08.jpg Photos: Aftermath of massive tornado in Moore

    Storm victims were pulled from the rubble and residents began surveying the damage late Monday and early Tuesday in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, where a powerful tornado destroyed entire neighborhoods and left dozens dead.

    May 22, 2013

  • Moore Tornado rubble Okla. officials vow not to quit looking until everyone is found

    The tornado that killed 24 people and injured at least 100 others in the Moore and Oklahoma City area cut a 17-mile-long path that started in Newcastle and ended at Lake Stanley Draper. Nine of the dead are children.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo 1 Slideshow

  • screenshot fbi.jpg VIDEO: Orlando shootout tied to Boston bomb suspect

    The FBI says it was involved in a fatal shooting near Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla. CBS News senior correspondent John Miller reports that the victim was a friend of Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the older brother suspected in the Boston Marathon bombing.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

Religion
  • *religion page_0459.jpg National Day of Prayer set for Thursday

    National Day of Prayer calls on all people of different faiths in the United States to pray for the nation and its leaders.

    April 26, 2013 1 Photo

  • SOAKING IT IN ... SOUL CARE

    I hope you are noticing – spring is beginning to emerge from winter.
    Even though it has been cold and very blustery these past few days, last week in the southeast part of Mineral Wells, I noticed a weeping willow tree budding out.

    March 8, 2013

  • Eleventh Avenue Church hosts 63rd anniversary

    Eleventh Avenue Church will be celebrating its 63rd Anniversary on Sunday, March 3.

    February 22, 2013

Must Read
Featured Ads
Front page
Front page
Seasonal Content
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
AP Video
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse American Held in Grisly Czech Murders Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day' Jersey Shore Open for Business Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Stocks
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.