LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Jefferson County Grand Jury ruled on Wednesday that the father of a 9-year-old victim in the Big Four Bridge shooting this summer acted in self-defense and defense of others. 

What You Need To Know

  • William Thomspon Jr. was arrested in connection with a shooting at the Big Four Bridge on June 11

  • Thompson was initially charged with six counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct

  • The Jefferson County Grand Jury was presented one count of first degree assault, one count of second degree assault and one count of second degree disorderly conduct

  • Thompson is being indicted on federal charges for the same incident

William Devon Thomspon Jr. was arrested on June 16 in connection with the shootings at the park near the Big Four Bridge and initially charged with six counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct.

According to a news release from Commonwealth’s Attorney Thomas Wine, the grand jury was presented one count of first degree assault, one count of second degree assault and one count of second degree disorderly conduct. The grand jury returned a “no true bill” in the case against Thompson, meaning that they did not find it more likely than not that Thompson committed a crime based on the evidence, and therefore were not indicting him.

On Saturday, June 11, six people were shot at the park by the Big Four Bridge, including Thompson’s 9-year-old son, who was grazed by a bullet according to the Louisville Metro Police Department.

The charges against one juvenile involved in the shooting are still pending in Jefferson County District Court and another juvenile remains a person of interest.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky, Thompson was indicted on federal charges of illegal possession of a machine gun and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. 

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