Ian MacDonald arrested in Scottsdale stabbing that killed Tyrice Thompson

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - Police have made an arrest in a stabbing last month that killed a former Arizona State University football player and Scottsdale bouncer.

Scottsdale police arrested Ian MacDonald, 26, of Tempe around 6:45 p.m. Wednesday.

He was first arrested for this incident last week after police went through security footage. But MacDonald denied stabbing 27-year-old Tyrice Thompson and was released pending further investigation.

It was later revealed in the investigation that MacDonald stabbed Thompson multiple times in the parking lot near Martini Ranch in the area of Scottsdale and Camelback roads.

The stabbing took place after 1 a.m. on Jan. 27.

MacDonald was then arrested again for 2nd degree murder and transported to Maricopa County Jail for arraignment.

MacDonald’s girlfriend, Samantha King, was also arrested for assault and hindering prosecution, police said. She was later released.

After interviews with club employees and witnesses, detectives learned more about what happened.

Police said club personnel removed a man and woman from the club through the west gate.

They then saw a disturbance in the parking lot, which left that man and woman unattended, police said.

A bouncer then reportedly discovered Thompson on the ground with MacDonald, while King pulled Thompson’s hair.

Police said the bouncer removed King from Thompson’s back and then saw Thompson “staggering” his way to the sidewalk before collapsing.

He saw that Thompson had been stabbed.

Police said MacDonald reported in a 911 call that King had been stabbed, which King later told police was not true.

She also denied that MacDonald stabbed Thompson but did admit to pulling Thompson’s hair, police said.

In other interviews, police learned from MacDonald’s friends who were with him that night that he confessed to stabbing Thompson.

Thompson was a member of the ASU football team from 2003 to 2007. He played tight end and wide receiver.