In the early hours of May 30, 2021, a dispute in a Parkersburg, West Virginia residence on 17th Avenue tragically ended the life of Darren Jimmie Salaam, a 36-year-old Black male from Akron, Ohio. The incident, which authorities believe stemmed from a botched robbery attempt or a disagreement over a drug transaction, escalated into a fatal shooting.
Victor Lee Thompson, a 43-year-old with a long history with law enforcement, had forced his way into the home around 2 a.m..
An argument erupted between Thompson and a woman residing there, during which he struck her in the face with a pistol. This altercation drew Salaam into the conflict. Thompson then shot Salaam, who, despite being wounded, managed to escape through a window. He later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
Following the shooting, Thompson fled the scene, sparking a week-long manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Authorities considered him armed and dangerous. Investigators believed the motive for the confrontation was an attempt to rob the residents of drugs, cash, or both. A search of the home after the shooting uncovered illicit drugs.
The search for Thompson extended across Wood County and into neighboring Washington County, Ohio. He was eventually captured in Ritchie County alongside Kierston Holbrooks-Mick, who was wanted on separate charges. Thompson was taken into custody without incident and was subsequently charged with murder.
During his trial in October 2022, prosecutors argued that Thompson had gone to the residence to get a refund for "bad drugs". The defense claimed self-defense, stating that Thompson believed Salaam was armed. However, no weapon was found on or near Salaam. Testimony revealed that during his arrest, Thompson made racially charged and derogatory statements, including the use of a racial slur when referring to Salaam. A 15-year-old relative of Salaam who was present during the incident testified to hearing a man screaming and a woman crying before the gunshot.
Ultimately, a jury found Victor Lee Thompson guilty of felony murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Two other individuals, Rhonda Bay and Vincent Cross, were indicted for accessory after the fact to murder for allegedly assisting Thompson in evading arrest. Bay later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of accessory after the fact to burglary and testified during Thompson's trial.
