MONTEREY PD PRESS RELEASE PREPARED BY ACTING ASSISTANT CHIEF MICHAEL BRUNO
AUGUST 13, 2020
Homicide
On July 27, 2020, Richard Thompson, age 39 of Seaside was involved in two physical altercations that were separated by approximately seven hours in the City of Monterey.
Thompson suffered injuries in both altercations and was treated at local hospitals after both incidents. After being treated and released after the first incident, Thompson was involved in the second incident, where he was burglarizing a local business.
On August 10, 2020, Thompson died while in the hospital where he had been since the second incident. Thompson’s death was ruled a homicide by the Monterey County Coroner’s Office.
The Monterey Police Department (MPD) investigated both incidents and arrested the subject that assaulted Thompson in the first incident, for assault with a deadly weapon.
The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office will determine what charges will be filed in relation to the two incidents. More specific details follow.
On July 27, 2020, at approximately 12:49 a.m., Monterey Police Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Munras for a physical altercation between two males.
The victim, Richard Thompson, age 39 of Seaside, reported being battered by Raven Wade, 21 of Monterey. During the argument, Wade threw a large bin at Thompson, striking him in the head and causing visible injury. Thompson received medical attention at CHOMP and was released.
Approximately seven hours later, on July 27, 2020, at approximately 7:47 a.m., Monterey Police Officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Park Street regarding a burglary in progress.
The victim of the burglary, found Thompson inside his business wearing a ski mask and looking through items in the business. When the burglary victim confronted Thompson, Thompson attempted to batter him. The burglary victim punched Thompson several times, resulting in Thompson falling to the ground unconscious.
The burglary victim immediately called 9-1-1 and Thompson was transported to Natividad Medical Center (NMC). Thompson never regained consciousness after being transported to NMC.
On July 28, 2020, at approximately 11:00 a.m., a Monterey Police Officer found Wade (the suspect from the first incident) in the area of Tyler and Munras in Monterey. Wade was arrested at that time, for assault with a deadly weapon and transported to the Monterey County Jail.
On August 10, 2020, Thompson died from a brain injury and his death was ruled a homicide by the Monterey County Coroner’s Office. This is Monterey’s first homicide of 2020.
Both cases are still under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call Detective Kimberly Zook at (831) 646-3810.
