In the early evening of May 5, 2023, a shooting incident in the 900 block of Powledge Avenue in Opelika, Alabama, left 22-year-old Jatavious Tremon 'Bill' Thomas with a life-threatening gunshot wound. The young Black man was rushed to the East Alabama Medical Center for medical attention. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Thomas succumbed to his injuries three days later, on May 8, 2023.
The Opelika Police Department launched a homicide investigation into the shooting.
Their inquiries led them to identify 23-year-old Jerryonne Ja'Quion Patterson as the primary suspect in Thomas's death. With the assistance of the Lee County SWAT Team and the Auburn Police Department, Patterson was taken into custody. He has since been formally charged with murder in connection with the fatal shooting.
The investigation into the death of Jatavious Thomas remains ongoing, and authorities have indicated that further charges against Patterson could be considered. Investigators have encouraged anyone with additional information regarding the incident to come forward to assist with the case.
