TEMPE, AZ (CBS5/AP) -
A 26-year-old Tempe man has been arrested in the stabbing death of a Scottsdale nightclub bouncer who was a former Arizona State football player.
Ian MacDonald was arraigned Thursday on a charge of second-degree murder.
MacDonald admitted that he was involved in the fight but denied stabbing 27-year-old Tyrice Thompson on Jan. 27, police said. [Related: Former ASU football player taken off life support]
The victim's father tells
CBS 5 News Thompson had big dreams in
life. Now he's coping with the fact none of them will ever come true.
"I'm trying to understand that
God, had the plan and whatever we thought we wanted that was not His plan, nor
was it His will," said Richard Thompson.
Ian MacDonald and his girlfriend
Samantha King were arrested by Scottsdale Police Feb. 6 in connection with
Thompson's murder. Hours before the Jan 27 stabbing, photos of
MacDonald and King in a Scottsdale club were posted on MacDonald's Facebook
page.
Thompson was a father and former football player at Arizona State University. Thompson played tight end and receiver for the Sun Devils from 2003 to 2007. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts, but didn't play in an NFL game.
Police said he was stabbed five times in the hip, back and arm outside the Martini Ranch in Scottsdale where he worked as a security guard.
Richard Thompson and his family made the decision to take his son off of life support on Saturday.
MacDonald was initially released pending further investigation and results of lab analysis of evidence collected from him and evidence at the scene.
On Monday, detectives said they received an anonymous tip stating MacDonald admitted to stabbing the bouncer and hiding the knife in his boxers. The tipster said MacDonald threw the knife away in a Dumpster in Mesa, according to a court document.
I'm in the process of trying to
grieve," Thompson said.
MacDonald was released
from jail on a $75,000 bond. Thompson's funeral will be held this weekend.
The Thompson family is
trying to raise money for the funeral and establish a fund for his one-year-old
son.
Bank Account Information:
COMERICA BANK
Torrie Thompson for the
benefit of Tyrice Thompson
ACCOUNT# 8002373853
Copyright 2013 CBS 5 (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Tyrice Thompson
Ian MacDonald (Source: Tempe Police Department)
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