In the early hours of a Tuesday morning in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the life of 35-year-old Justin 'JT' Thomas, an African American male, was tragically cut short. On September 3, 2019, the well-known local boxer was leaving Bennie's Bar on North Street when he was shot while walking to his car. The incident occurred shortly before 2:30 a.m. Thomas was discovered in a nearby field, still alive but critically injured, and was rushed to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Justin Thomas was a veteran in the boxing ring with a professional record of 19 wins and 5 losses. He was a familiar face in the local boxing community, frequently competing in the World Fighting Championships series at the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino. Beyond his athletic pursuits, Thomas was known for his dedication to his family and community. He had moved back to Baton Rouge from Houston in 2012 to care for his mother after she was seriously injured in a car accident. He also dedicated his time to working with troubled youth, hoping to be a positive influence. His manager remembered him as a loving individual who was preparing for an upcoming match later that year.
Following the shooting, the Baton Rouge Police Department launched a homicide investigation into Thomas's death. At the time of the initial reports, authorities had not identified any suspects or determined a motive for the shooting. The investigation was reported to be ongoing, but as of late 2022, there have been no public announcements regarding any arrests or the identification of any suspects in connection with the murder of Justin 'JT' Thomas. His case is remembered as one of the homicides that occurred over the Labor Day weekend in 2019, leaving his family and community searching for answers.
