On July 25, 2023, at approximately 11:12 p.m., 39-year-old Randy Thacker was fatally shot in the 1900 block of Flour Bluff Drive in Corpus Christi, Texas. The suspect, identified as 55-year-old Eric Smith, reported to Corpus Christi Police Department officers that he shot Thacker after Thacker allegedly approached him with an object in his hand. Thacker was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after the incident.
Thacker, originally from Chapmanville, West Virginia, had relocated to Corpus Christi approximately four years prior and was employed as a carpenter, skilled in both home repairs and home building. He was known for his loving and kind heart, particularly towards his children and family. His mother, Elizabeth Hicks, traveled 22 hours from West Virginia to attend court proceedings related to her son's death.
Eric Smith, who was reportedly a friend of Thacker's, was arrested and charged with murder following the shooting. In subsequent court proceedings, Smith's defense requested and was granted a continuance in the murder case. Additionally, Smith's bond was reduced, with conditions including house arrest, a curfew, and regular check-ins if he were to post bail. The case remains ongoing as of the latest available information.
