An Ohio man has been accused of fatally shooting his 24-year-old daughter during a dispute allegedly over smoking inside their home. The man, identified as 64-year-old Franklin Thompson of Sycamore Township, reportedly showed no remorse when questioned by the police, according to the prosecuting attorneys.
Thompson was discovered a block away from his residence, with the alleged murder weapon in his pocket, following the early Monday morning incident. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office has since charged him with first-degree murder. His daughter, Rebecca Thompson, was found by her younger sister, aged 18, with a fatal gunshot wound. It is believed that Thompson fired multiple rounds at his daughter.
During Thompson’s initial court appearance on Tuesday, prosecutors expressed concern about the potential threat he could pose to others. “If he’s willing to do this to his own daughter, we’re very concerned about what he’d be willing to do to a stranger if he were to be released,” they stated.
Despite the shocking incident, neighbors described Thompson as a “nice guy” with no known history of violence. Authorities have noted that he recently underwent brain surgery, which has reportedly resulted in ongoing issues, although the specifics of these issues remain unclear. The argument that led to the fatal shooting reportedly centered around smoking in the house, but it is not clear who was smoking at the time.
Thompson confessed to shooting his daughter multiple times during a verbal altercation when interviewed by sheriff’s detectives, according to his arrest affidavit. He resided with the victim and her sister in a home in the 12000 block of 6th Street in Sycamore Township, a suburb of Cincinnati.
Neighbors expressed their shock and sadness at the incident. “Just a normal family,” said neighbor Edgar Martinez. Another neighbor, Vidalinda Roblero, recalled Thompson as a welcoming figure when they moved into the neighborhood.
Thompson’s past legal issues include minor traffic violations, a 2023 trespassing arrest at a Kroger grocery store, and a 2003 charge for stealing cable television. His wife divorced him in 2016, alleging abuse, but he was never arrested for any domestic violence-related charges. Thompson is currently being held on a $1 million bond as he awaits his next court date. A grand jury date has been set for Feb. 6.