Derrick Thompson, 46

Altha, Florida
May 30, 2020

Agencies: Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office Florida | Florida Department of Law Enforcement FDLE

Cause of death: Shooting


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Last updated: almost 4 years ago

Overview

Derrick Thompson, 46, from Dothan, Alabama was shot and killed by police during an altercation with 23-year-old Kendall Kirkland at Powerhouse Motorsports Park in Calhoun County.

Thompson reportedly shot Kendall during the altercation. Officials say Thompson had also begun firing at the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office deputies who had walked by at the time of the altercation and tried to intervene. Law enforcement officers shot and killed Thompson on scene. Kirkland succumbed to his injuries over the weekend. Two individuals that received minor injuries were treated and released at local medical facilities.

Calhoun County Sheriff’s Deputy Coby Beck was shot in the leg in the course of the incident but is expected to fully recover and eventually return to work. Thompson and reportedly opened fire over what is may have been a dispute regarding a side-bet that had been made at the event, according to Calhoun County Sheriff Glen Kimbrell.

He said the incident and its many aspects are under continued investigation, and that it was a localized incident that had no connection to anything going on in the nation at this time. FDLE is routinely called upon in such officer-involved shootings and is involved in this one.