Londell Thompson Jr., the 22-year-old man arrested for the June 2022 murder of 25-year-old Anthony Colden II, has pleaded guilty to several charges, including voluntary manslaughter and child abuse. The plea was confirmed by officials Thursday.
Thompson was initially charged with second-degree murder and multiple firearm-related offenses in connection to the homicide that took place on Golf Park Drive. However, following changes in eyewitness testimony, Thompson pleaded guilty to amended charges during a hearing at Lynchburg Circuit Court.
The amended charges include:
Voluntary Manslaughter
Unlawfully Shooting into an Occupied Building
Felony Child Abuse
As part of the plea agreement, several other charges were dropped, including Felony Use of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, Misdemeanor Reckless Handling of a Firearm, Misdemeanor Willful Discharge of a Firearm in the City, and Misdemeanor Brandishing a Firearm. These charges were nolle prosequi, meaning they would not proceed due to the amendments.
The changes in charges followed shifts in eyewitness testimony. The Colden family was consulted regarding the plea deal and agreed to the terms. However, the case is not yet fully resolved, as sentencing has not been determined.
Thompson’s sentencing is scheduled for May 21, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Yeatts in Lynchburg Circuit Court. He faces potential penalties of:
Voluntary Manslaughter: 1-10 years in prison
Unlawfully Shooting into an Occupied Building: 1-5 years
Child Abuse: 1-5 years
The tragic incident, which occurred on June 1, 2022, has attracted significant attention in the Lynchburg community. As Thompson prepares for sentencing, local authorities have expressed their commitment to seeing the case through to its conclusion. The Colden family, still grieving the loss of a loved one, must now await closure with sentencing scheduled for the spring of 2025.
