Derrick Thompson found guilty of murder in car crash that killed 5 young Somali women

A jury in Hennepin County found Thompson guilty on all counts of third-degree murder and criminal vehicular homicide following two days of deliberation.

By Jeff Day.

The Star Tribune of Minnesota.

06/06/2025 at 11:07 p.m.

Following his conviction on all counts on Friday, Derrick John Thompson is seen sitting in court. (Sahan Journal/Sahan Journal | Aaron Nesheim).

“I find it difficult to recall a case that held greater significance for me,” stated Assistant Hennepin County Attorney Paige Starkey. Since day one, this case has deeply affected me. “”.

Tyler Bliss, Thompson’s lawyer, refrained from commenting right after the verdict.

The five individuals who were killed were: Sagal Hersi, 19, and Siham Adam, 19; Sabiriin Ali, 17, at left; Sahra Gesaade, 20, and Salma Abdikadir, 20, upper right. (Dar Al-Farooq with permission).

Prosecutors and the victims’ families had a sleepless night because the jury failed to return a verdict in the hours following their case on Thursday.

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According to a brother’s shocking testimony, Derrick Thompson was involved in a collision that claimed the lives of five Somali women.

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Day 3 of the trial for Derrick John Thompson: The intertwined fates of a violent vehicle accident.

Twelve jurors served, including 21-year-old Lucas Sundelius of the University of Minnesota. Although it was a controversial discussion, he said it was essential. “Six people were conversing simultaneously,” Sundelius remarked. We were all making valid points, though. “.”.

Little things, like whether Thompson or a possible passenger was wearing a seatbelt, took on tremendous weight once the jury was presented with the evidence.

Sundelius remarked, “You’re determining the destiny of another man’s life.”. You also don’t want to ruin it. “.”.

The prosecution’s case was ultimately proven by Joe Paquette, James Hanneman, and Starkey. They demonstrated that Thompson had rented the vehicle, was operating the wheel when the collision occurred, and fled the scene right away.

Police video from the scene where Thompson complained about his Friday night being ruined was shown by Starkey during Thursday’s closing arguments.

She stated, “Derrick Thompson only gave a damn about Derrick Thompson.”.

According to Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, the state hopes that Judge Carolina Lamas will sentence Thompson in a way that takes into account both this offense and the fact that he was found guilty in 2018 of evading police prior to a car accident in California that left a woman seriously injured. Similar to the Minneapolis Escalade, a gun and drugs were discovered in that vehicle.

The phrase “these were choices” was repeated by Moriarty. She went on to say that Minnesota would be affected for years to come by the deaths of the five women.

On July 24, Thompson will receive his sentencing. Following a jury’s verdict of guilty on drug and weapon charges, he is still awaiting federal sentencing.

Derrick Thompson was found guilty on all counts by the jury on Friday, according to the verdict read by Judge Carolina Lamas. (Sahan Journal/Aaron Nesheim).

Suffering and encouragement.

Intense video footage from the crash and its aftermath, as well as challenging testimony from the relatives of the five women who perished, were featured during the trial.

For Minnesota and its Somali community, the crash was a tragic yet inspiring event. Following the collision, a fundraiser brought in over $450,000 for the families of the victims.

The victims’ relatives and friends crowded the courtroom on each day of the trial. On Friday, an overflow courtroom was also utilized, and it quickly filled up.

The majority were young women in hijabs.

22-year-old Yacqub Mohamed of St. Paul said he wanted to go to show support for the Somali community even though he didn’t know the victims.

“He’s getting the justice he deserves, which is good,” Mohamed remarked.

When Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty told the media that Derrick Thompson had been found guilty at the Hennepin County Government Center on Friday, family members hugged and sobbed. According to The Minnesota Star Tribune, Elizabeth Flores.

Although Thompson’s involvement in the deaths was partially resolved by the trial, it also caused new problems.

The video of the collision was accompanied by CT scans from the young women’s autopsies and testimony from an assistant medical examiner regarding the injuries sustained in the collision.

Prosecutors took advantage of the occasion to try to alleviate that suffering by making Thompson’s victims come to life.

During five days of witness testimony, each victim’s family member described the identity of their loved ones. In the gallery, people bowed their heads, passed tissues, and wept.

State officials contacted the 20-year-old University of St. Student Munir Abdikadir of Thomas. Salma was two years older than him.

He revealed to the court his sister’s life plans. At St., a psychology major. A born storyteller, she aspired to become a therapist after attending Paul College.

Munir remarked, “She had excellent interpersonal skills.”.

His phone rang the night she died. Evening prayers had just been concluded by him. A friend who had a reputation for being playful was calling. Munir assumed he was making a joke when he mentioned a crash. He hung up. His friend’s father answered the phone when the same number called back.

“I recall an adult speaking,” Munir remarked. It must have been serious, I knew. “”.

After Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty speaks to the media and declares Derrick Thompson guilty, family members embrace and comfort one another. Elizabeth Flores/The Star Tribune of Minnesota.

“Something has happened to Salma,” he informed his mother as he went downstairs. “”.

According to Munir, “I was trying to calm her down.”. Around her were my brothers. “”.

He ascended the stairs to awaken his dad.