Man held without bond in Yorktown football star's shooting

Dairus Thompson II, 40, is being held without bond after his first court appearance on Monday. The Farmland man stands accused in the shooting death of Yorktown High School football player Christopher Wilson Jr. Wilson died on Oct. 5 after being shot multiple times while sitting in a car on the 1400 block of East Cromer Avenue in Muncie. He was 17 years old.

Thompson faces charges of aiding, inducing or causing murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and obstruction of justice. The murder charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 65 years. At his Monday hearing in Delaware Circuit Court 1, Thompson said he plans to hire an attorney. The court is working to assign a public defender in the interim.

Court records state that Thompson is unemployed, receives disability benefits, and is the father of six children, including one stepchild. His next hearing is set for 9 a.m. on Dec. 14. A pretrial hearing will take place on Jan. 27, with a jury trial scheduled for April 6.

Investigators believe Wilson was shot due to mistaken identity. Police think the victim was confused with a 27-year-old Muncie man who had a dispute with people connected to Thompson. Court documents indicate that Thompson helped coordinate the shooting by driving a vehicle used before and after the gunfire. Investigators also used cellphone evidence and surveillance video to link Thompson and a juvenile to the crime.

Thompson’s 17-year-old son, Dairus Thompson III, has also been charged in connection with the death. Investigators believe the younger Thompson carried out the shooting. Wilson was a standout defensive end at Yorktown High School who had committed to play football at West Virginia University.