Detroiter killed, sources say he tried to stop car thief - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Detroiter killed, sources say he tried to stop car thief

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Mark Thompkins Mark Thompkins
DETROIT (WJBK) -

"A very nice guy, very nice," said Clarence Driver.

He lived next door to Mark Thompkins for the past two years.  He was inside his apartment on Lafayette Street when his neighbor's life came to an end.

"I heard two, two gun shots, but I thought it was my brother and so I looked out the window.  I saw him laying there," Driver said.

Sources tell us Thompkins was shot once in the head after he tried to stop a thief from stealing his Ford Crown Victoria.

Residents have watched the once family friendly neighborhood decline, now forced to live next to abandoned, burned out buildings.  They say the streetlights have long stopped working, making them targets for thieves.

"It's very dark here at night," said Driver, who has had his car stolen.

Thompkins was a truck driver with a heart of gold.  Without him, life on Lafayette Street just won't be the same.

We're told Thompkins' car was found a short distance away, but Detroit Police are still looking for the triggerman.  If you know anything, you're asked to give them a call.

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