Pearlie Mae Thomas, a 58-year-old African American woman, tragically passed away on April 26, 2018, in Ocala, Florida. Her death was the result of a shooting incident that occurred during a heated altercation between her two sons, Malcolm J. Thomas and Kado Thomas. The incident took place at their residence located at 7900 NW 39th Avenue Road. According to reports, the brothers were arguing over the use of a spare bedroom when the situation escalated.
Malcolm Thomas, who was 28 years old at the time, retrieved a pistol and fired several shots outside, calling for his brother to come out and fight. He then returned inside and continued firing, during which Pearlie Mae Thomas was struck in the chest while attempting to intervene and stop the fight.
Following the shooting, Malcolm Thomas fled the scene but was later apprehended by law enforcement. He was charged with manslaughter in the death of his mother, as well as multiple other charges including attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. The charges stemmed from an incident where Malcolm Thomas fired at Marion County Patrol Corp. Alan Hewett, who was guarding the crime scene. Fortunately, the deputy was not injured.
The investigation revealed that Malcolm Thomas had a history of criminal activity and was a convicted felon at the time of the incident. Witnesses, including Malcolm's girlfriend Alexis Murray, provided detailed accounts of the events leading up to the shooting. Murray stated that she heard multiple gunshots from inside the house and saw Kado Thomas emerge, claiming that his brother had shot their mother. Despite Malcolm Thomas's claims that he did not intentionally shoot his mother and that the gun discharged during a struggle with his brother, the evidence led to his arrest and subsequent charges.
The tragic death of Pearlie Mae Thomas left a profound impact on her family and the community. She was remembered as a beloved mother and grandmother, leaving behind her husband, Lee Andrew Thomas, and several children and grandchildren. The legal proceedings following her death highlighted the complexities and emotional toll of familial conflicts that escalate into violence.
