In the early hours of August 21, 2018, the life of 18-year-old Mason James Sandoval was tragically cut short in Clarksville, Tennessee. A recent graduate of Rossview High School where he was a member of the wrestling team, Sandoval was known for his strong moral convictions and dedication to fitness. He was a member of Gateway Christian Church and was described as intelligent and confident. Born in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, on February 21, 2000, he was a beloved son, brother, and friend.
On that fateful morning at approximately 1:15 a.m., police responded to a call at a residence on Eastern Hills Drive and discovered Sandoval with a gunshot wound. He was rushed to Tennova Healthcare, where he was pronounced dead. The initial investigation suggested that the shooting was accidental.
Investigators determined that Kelly Curtis Thomas, then 47 years old, was handling a firearm when it discharged, striking Sandoval. Thomas had been moving the gun from one location to another when it inadvertently fired. For nearly two years, the case remained under review by the District Attorney's office.
In June 2020, a Montgomery County grand jury indicted Kelly Curtis Thomas on a charge of reckless homicide in connection with Sandoval's death. The indictment alleged that Thomas's reckless conduct in pointing a loaded handgun in Sandoval's direction resulted in his death. Thomas was arrested on June 5, 2020, and was scheduled for an arraignment the following month.
