A tragic incident unfolded in Sycamore Township, Ohio, when a 64-year-old father, Franklin Thompson, shot and killed his 24-year-old daughter, Rebecca Thompson, during a heated argument about smoking inside their home. According to prosecutors, Thompson showed no remorse when speaking with investigators after the shooting.
The fatal encounter happened early Monday morning at their home on 6th Street. Rebecca’s 18-year-old sister was the one who discovered her with a gunshot wound after Thompson allegedly fired multiple rounds at her. After the shooting, Thompson was found wandering a block away from his house with the gun still in his pocket. Authorities quickly took him into custody, charging him with first-degree murder.
During his first court appearance on Tuesday, prosecutors raised serious concerns about his behavior, saying, “If he’s willing to do this to his own daughter, we’re very concerned about what he’d be willing to do to a stranger if he were to be released.” The court has set his bond at $1 million as he awaits further proceedings.
Neighbors in the community were shocked by the incident. Many described Thompson as a “nice guy” with no history of violence. Some even recalled how he had been friendly and welcoming when they moved into the neighborhood. However, police reports revealed that Thompson had undergone a recent brain operation that left him with “lasting issues,” though the exact nature of those issues remains unclear.
Court records show Thompson had a few minor offenses on his record, including traffic violations, a trespassing incident at a Kroger grocery store in 2023, and a charge from 2003 for stealing cable television. Additionally, his ex-wife, who divorced him in 2016, accused him of abuse, though he was never arrested for domestic violence.
As the investigation continues, Thompson remains behind bars. A grand jury is set to review his case on February 6, where more details about what led to this devastating family tragedy may emerge.
