MUNCIE, IN — Police in Muncie, Indiana have arrested a 40-year-old man in connection with the murder of 17-year-old WVU football recruit Chris Wilson.
Police arrested Dairus Thompson II, 40, of Farmland, Indiana, for allegedly aiding, inducing or causing the Oct. 5 shooting death.
Detectives believe Wilson, a standout football player at Yorktown High School, may have been mistaken for another man who was involved in an ongoing dispute with people connected to the shooting that night. Investigators believe Thompson helped facilitate the shooting by driving a vehicle used before and after the attack and coordinating with a juvenile who police believe pulled the trigger.
Witnesses also told investigators Wilson was mistaken for the other man and was not the intended target, court documents indicate.
Muncie police described the arrest as “one milestone” in the active and ongoing investigation.
Muncie police previously said Wilson had been shot multiple times inside a vehicle. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.
A defensive end who committed to the Mountaineers in June, the 6-foot-5, 235-pound Wilson was set to graduate high school next year.
WVU football coach Rich Rodriguez released a statement after learning of Wilson’s death:
“The West Virginia Football program is heartbroken by the news of the tragic loss of Chris Wilson Jr. this morning. We really enjoyed getting to know Chris during the recruiting process. The WVU football program sends its heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Chris’ family in this difficult time,” the statement said.