In the quiet of a late spring evening in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the life of Candiace Marie Lay, a 29-year-old mother, was tragically cut short. On Saturday, May 22, 2021, Candiace was in her apartment at the Villages of Hanna when a stray bullet pierced through her window, striking and killing her. She was an unintended victim of a shootout that had erupted in the parking lot of the complex, a place she called home and where she was raising her three children.
The events that led to
Candiace's untimely death began with a confrontation in the parking lot. A man named Jamarion Thomas, who was 20 years old at the time, was reportedly carrying an AR-15 style rifle. A group of men who were drinking nearby questioned him about having the weapon in the presence of children. The verbal altercation quickly escalated into a chaotic exchange of gunfire. In the ensuing hail of bullets, Candiace was fatally wounded inside her own home, and four other people outside were injured.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Fort Wayne Police Department launched an investigation that swiftly led to the arrest of Jamarion Thomas. He was taken into custody and subsequently charged with aggravated battery causing death for his role in the shootout that resulted in Candiace's death. The community mourned the loss of a woman described by her family as a devoted and loving mother who, despite facing her own physical challenges, always prioritized the happiness and well-being of her children. The senseless violence that claimed her life left a void in the hearts of her loved ones and a sense of shock and sorrow throughout the Fort Wayne community.
Following his arrest, Jamarion Thomas faced the judicial system. After legal proceedings, he was convicted for his involvement in the death of Candiace Marie Lay. The court sentenced Thomas to a significant prison term, holding him accountable for the reckless actions that led to the death of an innocent bystander. While the conviction and sentencing brought a measure of legal closure, the family of Candiace Marie Lay continues to grapple with the profound and enduring pain of her absence.
