Community members, family and friends of Thompson, also known as “Fresh,” held their peaceful protest throughout Friday morning. Many from the group then decided to enter the City-County Building and attend a special Wheeling City Council meeting in council chambers to ask officials questions.

Thompson, 35, of Wheeling, was shot and killed around 7:30 p.m. March 19 on Wheeling Island. No arrests have been made, and the Wheeling Police Department continues to investigate the incident, including a possible self-defense motive.

The suspected shooter was released from police custody and not charged with a crime. WPD has not released the person’s name because he has not been charged.

“We are continuing to investigate all possibilities, including a self-defense motive,” Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger said Friday. “When it’s believed we have collected and gathered any and all evidence possible, our investigation will be sent to the prosecutors’ office for their review.”

photo by: Photo by Derek Redd

Tyra Robertson, left, and Christine Williams, right, hold a banner asking for justice for Tyrone Thompson, who was shot and killed this past Saturday on Wheeling Island. Robertson is Thompson's sister and Williams is a family friend.

Among Friday’s protesters were several of Thompson’s relatives from the Cleveland area, including Thompson’s mother, Elona Lyle of Cleveland.

“My son was loving and caring and a happy guy,” Lyle said. “During the last few months, he was working a lot of hours at Arby’s and going home.”

Thompson’s cousin Romeka Thompson of Cleveland said Thompson had some past troubles, but was turning his life around.

“He was trying to be a family man,” she said. “He didn’t deserve this. We will not sleep good until we get justice.”

Thompson’s sister Tyra Robertson of Cleveland also said her brother had turned his life around and was doing well.

photo by: Photo by Eric Ayres

Family and friends of Tyrone Thompson ask Wheeling city officials questions regarding the shooting death of Thompson at the end of a special budget meeting Friday. The group held a peaceful protest outside asking for “justice for Thompson.”

“He wanted to do better,” she added.

Police have said the suspected shooter called 911 after shooting Thompson and has been cooperative with them. Thompson was taken to Wheeling Hospital for treatment, but later died from his gunshot wounds.

Thompson’s friends and family have since made a makeshift memorial in the 100 block of South Huron Street where he was shot. A candlelight vigil for Thompson was held Monday at the site, with many family, friends and community members in attendance.

During Friday’s protest several people held signs with messages such as “Justice for Tyrone,” “Honk for Justice,” “Black Lives Matter,” “Justice for Tyrone, His Life Matters,” and more.

Dozens of protesters – including Thompson’s family members – also filed into the city council chambers at the conclusion of a brief special meeting to adopt the next fiscal year’s budget. People in the crowd asked questions and sought answers from city leaders as to why the suspected shooter was questioned and released so quickly.

photo by: Photo by Eric Ayres

Family and friends of Tyrone Thompson ask Wheeling city officials questions regarding the shooting death of Thompson at the end of a special budget meeting Friday. The group held a peaceful protest outside asking for “justice for Thompson.”

Officials noted that – like the protesters – they knew little about the case aside from what was printed in the newspaper, posted on social media and shared through word-of-mouth on the street. Council members noted they were the legislative body of the city and had nothing to do with police investigations or the duties of the Ohio County Prosecutor’s Office.

They assured the crowd, however, that if it came to light that anything inappropriate had taken place during the course of the investigation – as some people have been alleging – city leaders would take action.

“I can make a promise that if any evidence is presented that suggests that our police department did not act in a way that was appropriate and fair for the victim here, absolutely city council is going to respond,” Mayor Glenn Elliott said. “But I have no evidence of that right now.

“If something is presented that suggests any impropriety or any bias that shouldn’t be there, our commitment is to respond,” he added. “At this point, we haven’t seen that.”