Man killed, woman seriously injured in knife attack at I-80 rest area in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Two people were attacked with a knife Wednesday morning during an attempted robbery in Hall County.

The Hall County Sheriff’s Office said it happened around 7 a.m. at an Interstate 80 rest area just south of Grand Island.

Investigators think James Thompson Jr., a 22-year-old from Ohio, stabbed a couple from Missouri during an attempted robbery.

Both victims were taken to the Grand Island Regional Hospital.

Gary Weaver, 72, was pronounced dead. His wife, 71-year-old Mary Weaver, remains in critical condition, according to the sheriff’s office.

They were traveling through Nebraska in their mobile home, the sheriff’s office said.

Thompson left the area, but troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol took him into custody after a chase.

He was booked in the Hall County Jail on suspicion of multiple charges, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and robbery.

The investigation is ongoing, and an autopsy has been ordered on Gary Weaver.