Crime & Safety

Former Brookfield Athlete Killed In Iowa After Altercation

Former Brookfield East High School athlete Aaron Thompson, 28,​ was shot in Wapello County​, Iowa, on Thursday and died Friday.

Former Brookfield East High School athlete Aaron Thompson, 28,​ was shot in Wapello County, ​Iowa, on Thursday and died Friday.
Former Brookfield East High School athlete Aaron Thompson, 28,​ was shot in Wapello County, ​Iowa, on Thursday and died Friday. (Shutterstock)

BROOKFIELD, WI— Former Brookfield East High School star athlete Aaron Thompson, 28, died after being shot on Thursday in Wapello County, Iowa, according to law enforcement officials.

Thompson was airlifted to a University of Iowa hospital in Iowa City, Iowa, where he died on Friday.

A homeowner shot Thompson after an altercation inside a house in Wapello County Thursday. No charges are expected against the homeowner, law enforcement officials said.

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The incidents surrounding Thompson's death began Thursday after the Brookfield Police Department in Wisconsin conducted a welfare check on him, law enforcement officials said.

Thompson checked into the Hampton Inn in Kirksville, Missouri. There, law enforcement officials said witnesses reported he was behaving erratically. Despite making a two-night reservation, Thompson left Kirksville later that evening, they said.

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That same evening, a woman called 911 reporting that a person was attempting to break into her home in rural Wapello County. While in the home, Thompson and the homeowner got into a physical altercation; the homeowner fired one shot, striking Thompson, law enforcement officials said.

Wapello County sheriff’s deputies and Iowa State Patrol troopers arrived at the scene and attempted to speak to Thompson but were unable to and cited his mental state, officials said.

Thompson was suffering a mental health crisis when he entered the Wapello County residence, according to a news release from the Wapello County sheriff’s office.

"The lack of criminal charges do not take away the fact that this was the most unfortunate event possible. Mr. Aaron Thompson was clearly a successful young man with a bright future. Unfortunately, mental health can affect anyone and appears to have played a significant role in this chain of events. Our heart goes out to the Thompson family, who lost a wonderful son, as well as the homeowners involved, who faced an impossible situation and must live with this."

A GoFundMe page was created by friends of Thompson with a statement below. Patch reached out to the organizer of the account but hadn't heard back as of Tuesday morning.

"As we continue to mourn Aaron’s passing, we want to support his family to bring Aaron home, cover funeral costs, and pay for related expenses. We also want to honor him by creating a foundation in his memory and name — to support other athletes and aspiring medical professionals struggling with mental health challenges, seeking to make the world a fairer, more equitable, and healthier place for all. All additional funds remaining after supporting his family will contribute to this goal."

Thompson was a track athlete at Brookfield East High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was also on the Brookfield East football team. Thompson graduated in 2011.

Andy Farley, principal at Brookfield East High School, said the school is deeply saddened at the loss of Thompson.

"Aaron was a talented student-athlete at East and UW-Madison with a bright future ahead of him, and it was heartbreaking to learn of his passing. The Brookfield East community extends its thoughts, prayers and support to Aaron's family, as well as to all the BEHS alumni and staff who knew him in high school, and especially those that remained close to him over the years," Farley said.

Go Fund Me is a Patch promotional partner.


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