In the quiet city of Stillwater, Oklahoma, the life of 43-year-old Jerry Silas, a Black/African American male, was abruptly cut short in a tragic act of violence. On the evening of April 5, 2025, police responded to a call about an assault at an apartment complex on North Boomer Road. Inside one of the units, they discovered Silas with a single gunshot wound to the head. Emergency medical services were immediately dispatched, and he was rushed to Stillwater Medical Center.
Due to the severity of his injury, he was later airlifted to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Jerry Silas succumbed to his injuries the following day, leaving his family and community in mourning.
The investigation into the shooting quickly pointed to an argument that had taken place inside the apartment. Detectives identified 47-year-old Damon Eugene Thomas Sr., also of Stillwater, as the primary suspect. According to witnesses who were present at the scene, an altercation erupted between Silas and Thomas, culminating in a loud bang. They then saw Silas lying on a coffee table, bleeding profusely from his head, while Thomas was allegedly holding a small semiautomatic pistol. It was a shocking turn of events, particularly as the victim and the suspect had grown up together.
Following the shooting, Thomas allegedly forced the witnesses to leave with him, threatening them with the firearm. He reportedly kept them with him for a period before they managed to escape at a convenience store and contact the authorities. On April 7, 2025, an arrest warrant was issued for Damon Eugene Thomas Sr. on the charge of first-degree manslaughter after a former felony conviction. With the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, Thomas was located and apprehended in Oklahoma City that same day. He was taken into custody and transported to the Payne County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing, with the possibility of additional charges being filed as more evidence comes to light. The family of Jerry Silas, while grieving their profound loss, expressed their hope for justice to be served.
