For the past week the misinformation has flowed freely on Facebook concerning a shooting that took place on the south end of Wheeling Island eight days ago.
The facts released to the public? An altercation took place in the early evening hours of March 19 near Smoker Friendly, and 35-year-old Tyrone “Fresh” Thompson died after being shot by an unidentified male. The unidentified male called 911, claimed self-defense, was questioned and briefly detained by law enforcement, was permitted to leave the scene, and since has not been charged and arrested.
Officials of the Wheeling Police Department confirmed during the week that detectives continue to investigate the self-defense claim, and we also know a peaceful protest took place along Chapline Street near the Ohio County Courthouse this past Friday morning.
But that’s it. On the record, at least.
On the rumor mill? Well now, some Facebook members have opted to produce live videos and participate in online threads, and the majority of them believe they have revealed the unidentified man’s real name, how many shots were fired, what passes as self-defense, what is instead premeditated murder, which man possessed a criminal record, and which one is a “right-wing gun nut.”
It’s not been healthy for anyone, and the situation only will worsen when the Ohio County Prosecutor’s Office announces the results of the investigation. If detectives conclude the unidentified man did employ lawful self-defense, those demanding “Justice for Fresh” likely will allege bias of some nature. If instead charges are filed against the self-reported shooter, a trial will follow with the confusing conjecture continuing ad nauseam.
That’s where we are now because that’s what we’ve become.
