On the evening of July 3, 2024, what should have been a time of celebration leading up to the Independence Day holiday turned into a tragedy for a West Memphis, Arkansas family. At a home in the city, 26-year-old Martavis Thomas, a male, was shot in the back of the head. He was transported to Baptist Memorial Hospital – Crittenden, where he fought for his life overnight. Sadly, on July 4, 2024, Martavis Thomas succumbed to his injuries and passed away.
His death cast a somber shadow over the holiday for his loved ones, with his father later mourning the devastating loss of his son during what should have been a joyous celebration.
The West Memphis Police Department immediately began an investigation into the fatal shooting. Their work led to the identification of two individuals as suspects in the murder of Martavis Thomas. Subsequently, arrest warrants were issued for 19-year-old Jabrone Hamilton and 22-year-old Alex Jackson. The search for the two suspects concluded with their successful apprehension by law enforcement. Both Hamilton and Jackson were taken into custody and are being held at the Crittenden County Detention Center in Marion. They are now facing charges for their alleged roles in the shooting that ended Martavis Thomas's life.
