New Year’s Eve shooting suspect arrested and charged with murder

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - MPD has named and arrested the suspect in the New Year’s Eve shooting that killed one and injured nine others.

Thomas Earl Thomas Jr. is charged on four felony counts; murder, assault, shooting into an unoccupied building and shooting into and occupied building, according to police.

Thomas didn’t have a word to say while he was being escorted to Metro Jail, after he was released from the hospital Thursday.

He was in a wheelchair in police headquarters before he walked out, wearing a neck brace and still in a hospital gown.

Thomas is charged with the murder of 24-year-old JaTerious Reives.

Mobile Police Chief Paul Prine says Thomas is facing charges of assault for shooting another man, who shot him.

“He is being charged with one count of assault first degree involving the other individual that he engaged with gunfire with,” Chief Prine said. “He shot another individual and that individual shot him.”

Chief Prine says Thomas is also responsible for shooting the innocent bystanders.

According to jail records, this is the 22 year old’s first time in Metro.

Chief Prine has a stern warning for any others criminals looking to commit violent acts like this.

“I can assure you how many times have you seen the Mobile Police Department right now getting ready to do a perp walk that in and of itself says that we will not tolerate it,” the chief emphasized. “And I would just have a message for any other would be criminal in our community...it’s not tolerated.”

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