On the cold night of December 30, 2020, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the life of 21-year-old Thompson Kamara, a Black/African American male, was tragically cut short. Just before 11:50 p.m., outside the Corner Stop convenience store at 203 E. Hampton Avenue, a gray Nissan Altima approached. An individual exited the vehicle and fired between seven and ten shots. Kamara was fatally wounded in the barrage of bullets, while another man was critically injured but was expected to survive.
The suspect then got back into the Nissan Altima and fled the scene, heading south.
Witnesses, though distraught, described the harrowing event to police who arrived to a scene of chaos and grief. Despite their efforts to render aid, Kamara died at the scene from his gunshot wounds. Homicide detectives canvassed the neighborhood for additional witnesses and any surveillance footage that might shed light on the assailant. However, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, and the motive behind the violent act remains unclear to investigators. Authorities have not released any further details about the suspect or suspects.
Thompson Kamara, who was born in a refugee camp in Ghana in 1999 and came to Utah in 2003, was remembered as a vibrant and loving person with a passion for life. He was known for his love of music, fashion, skating, and dance. Friends described him as a "super extrovert" whose energy and charisma drew people to him. He was a member of a music and fashion collective called Outset, which he formed with friends from high school. In the wake of his death, the community mourned their loss deeply. A candlelight vigil drew approximately 200 people, and tributes flooded social media, highlighting the profound impact he had on those around him. A GoFundMe campaign organized to help his family with funeral expenses quickly met its goal, a testament to the love and support that surrounded him.
