MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AX) — The courtroom buzzed with anticipation as the trial of Derrick John Thompson commenced on Tuesday. The stakes couldn’t be higher in this case, which claims a significant place in the annals of recent Minnesota history. Thompson is accused of causing the tragic deaths of five Somali American women in a high-speed collision that, for many, has shaken the very fabric of the state’s Somali community, drawing not just local but national scrutiny.
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At just 29 years old, Thompson faces an uphill battle against 15 felony charges, which include five counts of third-degree murder and 10 counts of criminal vehicular homicide. The prosecution alleges that Thompson was unlawfully operating a rented Cadillac Escalade at alarming speeds—95 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone—when he sped through a red light at Lake Street, colliding violently with a Honda Civic. Within that Civic were five vibrant young women, friends and family members, who had just wrapped up a henna session in preparation for a wedding celebration planned for the following day. The collision was catastrophic, claiming all five lives instantaneously.
The victims—Sabiriin Ali, 17; Sahra Gesaade, 20; Salma Abdikadir, 20; Sagal Hersi, 19; and Siham Odhowa, 19—were not just students; they were community pillars, educators, and caregivers. Their untimely deaths have sent shockwaves through the communities of Minnesota’s Somali and Muslim residents. The funeral, conducted at Dar Al Farooq Islamic Center and the Garden of Eden Cemetery in Burnsville, was a poignant gathering that drew thousands. Those who attended were united by grief, standing shoulder to shoulder in sweltering 90-degree heat, creating an atmosphere that was both heart-wrenching and affirming of communal ties.
“They had bright futures,” reflected Khalid Omar, a teacher at Dar Al Farooq, capturing the essence of their potential and the depth of their loss. “The way our community came together to honor them speaks volumes about how deeply we felt this tragedy.”
Following the crash, Thompson fled on foot, only to be arrested nearby shortly thereafter. Inside the Escalade, law enforcement made a troubling discovery: a bag containing over 2,000 fentanyl pills, alongside MDMA pills, cocaine, and a loaded Glock handgun with an extended magazine. Days prior to the accident, surveillance footage captured Thompson renting the SUV at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, mere moments before his reckless driving put lives in peril.
In a separate federal case, Thompson was convicted the following October on multiple felony charges including possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The evidence presented was damning; his DNA was found on the firearm, the driver’s door, and even drug packaging. Text messages from his phone revealed alarmingly explicit requests for “30,000 blues”—a street term specifically referring to fentanyl pills. It’s a chilling reminder of the dangers that lurked beneath the surface of this case.
Defense attorneys introduced the notion that the drugs and firearm involved belonged to Thompson’s brother, Damarco, who also fled the scene but has not yet been located by law enforcement. The prosecution, however, called this defense a “red herring,” aiming to dispute its relevance. Notably, Thompson did not take the stand to defend himself during the federal trial; in fact, the defense did not produce any witnesses.
Adding complexity to Thompson’s case is his criminal past, which includes a conviction for a horrific hit-and-run in California back in 2018. Thompson struck a pedestrian while fleeing from police. The victim endured multiple surgeries and was placed in a medically induced coma, highlighting the gravity of Thompson’s reckless behavior. Though the prosecution sought to introduce this incident as evidence of a pattern of depraved behavior, a recent appeals court ruling declined its inclusion, marking a moment of disappointment for the prosecution. “The state’s need for evidence of the California incident is low,” Judge Diane Bratvold stated, lending weight to the existing evidence that supports the prosecution’s case.
Despite these hurdles, prosecutors remain optimistic. A forensic analyst from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension testified that Thompson’s DNA was positively identified on key pieces of evidence. Late in 2024, Thompson was offered a plea deal, which would have entailed pleading guilty to five counts of vehicular homicide and serving 32 to 38 years in prison. Remarkably, he rejected this option, pushing the case to trial and leading to the current proceedings that are expected to stretch over several weeks.
Family members of the victims, burdened by grief yet fueled by a search for justice, have filled the courtroom at each turn. During pretrial proceedings, their pain was palpable—many breaking down as damning evidence was presented. “The families are truly disappointed that Mr. Thompson has not taken accountability,” remarked attorney Joe Heegaard, representing the victims’ families. “But they are resolved to see this through.”
Osman Ahmed, advocacy director of CAIR-MN, emphasized the emotional toll this trial has taken on the community. “This trial reopens the wound,” he noted somberly. “But we will stand with the families—until the end.”
Thompson’s background adds another layer of complexity. He is the son of former Minnesota state Representative John Thompson, who once campaigned passionately against police violence. However, the controversy surrounding the charges against Derrick remains unaddressed publicly by his father.
As opening statements are anticipated later this week, Derrick Thompson remains in custody, awaiting sentencing for his federal conviction. This trial does not merely reflect a legal battle; it encapsulates a community’s pursuit for justice amidst overwhelming heartbreak.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
This version aims to present the details of the case with emotional depth and engagement, carefully weaving in community reactions and the tragic human elements at play.
