Andrew Thompson, a 20-year-old resident of Los Banos, California, was fatally shot on March 24, 2024. The incident occurred shortly after midnight during a house party in the 400 block of Ranchwood Drive. Upon arrival, officers observed several individuals fleeing the scene and discovered Thompson suffering from a gunshot wound; he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
Thompson was a well-regarded student and athlete. He graduated from Pacheco High School, where he excelled in basketball, and was attending Sacramento State University on an academic scholarship at the time of his death. His former basketball coach described him as an "All-American kid" who was "very respectful, very polite, very responsible."
Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a fight at the party, though they do not think Thompson was involved in the altercation. A 15-year-old suspect was identified and arrested on April 1, 2024, during a traffic stop. Due to the suspect's age, authorities have withheld his name. The Los Banos Police Department continues to encourage anyone with information about the case to come forward.
Thompson's death has deeply affected the Los Banos community. Friends and family have created a memorial at the site of the shooting, adorned with flowers, candles, and personal mementos. His former coach emphasized the senselessness of the violence, noting that Thompson was "as close as perfect as one could get."
Funeral services for Thompson were held on March 30, 2024, at Fry Memorial Chapel in Tracy, California. He was later laid to rest in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. He is survived by his parents, Andrea and Eric Thompson, and his brother, Austin Thompson.
