Trial Commences for 20-Year-Old Accused in Fatal Public Square Shooting and Subsequent Carjacking

20-year-old Maurice Thompson stands trial for aggravated murder and carjacking following the 2024 shooting of a man at a Cleveland RTA bus stop.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 6:37 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Cleveland 19 News (WOIO)

Jury Selection Begins in High-Profile Downtown Shooting Case

The legal proceedings against 20-year-old Maurice Thompson are officially underway in Cleveland as he faces trial for a series of violent incidents that occurred in early 2024. Thompson is charged with the killing of Juan Rampon Ruiz Lopez, a 36-year-old resident who was shot while waiting at a Regional Transit Authority (RTA) bus stop in Public Square. The trial, presided over in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, will examine evidence from a case that shocked the downtown community due to its brazen nature and the random location of the violence.

The Fatal Encounter at the RTA Bus Stop

According to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, the shooting took place in the early hours of March 22, 2024. Investigators allege that Thompson and Lopez were sitting next to each other at the transit stop when Thompson suddenly stood up and opened fire. Lopez was struck multiple times and was rushed by EMS to MetroHealth Medical Center. Despite medical intervention, Lopez succumbed to his injuries three days later on March 25. Prosecutors have characterized the attack as unprovoked, noting that the two men appeared to have no prior relationship before the fatal encounter.

Allegations of Armed Carjacking and Escape

Beyond the murder charge, the trial will address Thompson’s actions immediately following the shooting. Authorities allege that after fleeing Public Square on foot, Thompson encountered a 31-year-old man near Euclid Avenue and carjacked him at gunpoint. This second incident added charges of aggravated robbery and robbery to Thompson's indictment. The suspect remained at large for several weeks until a coordinated investigation by Cleveland police led to his apprehension on May 13, 2024.