A 22-year-old Akron man reached a plea deal with prosecutors Tuesday afternoon and will testify in a murder trial set to begin in late July.
Teion Thompson pleaded guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice and third-degree felonies in two separate cases, including the 2021 murder of 20-year-old Gage Zirke, according to Summit County prosecutors.
Thompson, who is represented by attorney Jacob Will, was charged with two counts of murder in the Zirke shooting. Those charges were dismissed.
Arrests: U.S. Marshals arrest two men they say are linked to the 2021 Akron killing
Zirke was found shot to death in the driver’s seat of his car after it crashed into a tree near the 2300 block of 11th Street in Akron on July 25, 2021.
Thompson was initially wanted on charges of aiding and abetting the commission of murder and obstructing justice in Zirke’s death.
The second man is facing a murder charge in Zirke’s death
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested 25-year-old Desean Williamson and Thompson in March 2023.
Williamson is charged with two counts of murder and felonious assault, along with three firearm specifications that could carry additional jail time if convicted.
Detectives believed Thomspon and Williamson were involved in a verbal dispute with Zirke before the shooting.
Williamson’s trial, which was due to start on Wednesday, has now been moved to July 30. He is represented by attorneys Kerry O’Brien and John Greven.
Summit County Common Pleas Judge Jennifer Towell is presiding over the case.
Bryce Buyakie covers courts and public safety for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached via email at bbuyakie@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @bryce_buyakie.
This article originally appeared in Akron Beacon Journal: Akron man pleads guilty to obstruction of justice in 2021 shooting death
