In a tragic turn of events on a late Tuesday morning in Clinton, Louisiana, a young man's life was cut short. Darrius Malik Ross, a 21-year-old African American male, was fatally shot on May 10, 2022, following a heated argument at the Pretty Creek Apartments. The altercation involved Ross and 37-year-old Ron Thompson, which escalated to the point of gunfire.
Ross was struck multiple times and succumbed to his injuries at the scene, found beside his vehicle.
The roots of this violent encounter appear to be embedded in an ongoing feud. Sources suggest there was a dispute between Ross and Thompson's family. On that fateful morning, Thompson reportedly saw Ross drive into the apartment complex, followed him, and the fatal confrontation ensued. In the exchange of fire, Ross was killed, and Thompson sustained a gunshot wound to his foot. Despite his injury, Thompson was taken to a hospital for treatment.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Clinton Police Department, with assistance from the East Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Office, launched a thorough investigation. Their efforts led to the arrest of Ron Thompson. He was subsequently booked into jail and faced serious charges: one count of second-degree murder and one count of aggravated assault with a firearm. A bond was set at $405,000.
The legal process that followed saw Ron Thompson stand trial for the death of Darrius Ross. The prosecution argued that Thompson had retrieved a weapon from his home and shot Ross multiple times as he sat in his car. A pathologist testified that three of the gunshot wounds were fatal. The initial trial, however, concluded with a hung jury, unable to reach a unanimous verdict. A second trial was conducted, which ultimately resulted in Thompson's acquittal on all charges in December 2024. The weapon used in the shooting was never recovered by law enforcement.
