On a cold Friday, February 5, 2021, the life of 19-year-old Shamar Barnes was cut tragically short. The young man was at a Marathon gas station on South Main Street in Elkhart, Indiana, when he was shot in the chest. Born in Three Rivers, Michigan, on May 23, 2001, Shamar was known for his happy and bubbly personality that could put a smile on anyone's face.
He had graduated from Three Rivers Community Schools in 2019, where he was active in the DECA program, a business and marketing club, and multiple sports, including his favorite, football, as well as basketball and track. Described as a lovable friend and a jokester, he was also an amazing older brother who was always eager to help those he knew.
The investigation into the shooting quickly pointed to a suspect. Based on security camera footage and witness statements, authorities identified 26-year-old Darius K. Thomas of Middlebury as the alleged shooter. A warrant for Thomas's arrest on a charge of murder was issued just three days after the fatal incident, on February 8, 2021. However, Thomas had fled the state, prompting a manhunt that extended beyond Indiana's borders.
Nearly a month later, the search for Darius Thomas came to an end. Investigators with the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force tracked him to Memphis, Tennessee. On Thursday, March 4, 2021, law enforcement, including the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Shelby County Fugitive Apprehension Team, located Thomas at a motel. He was taken into custody without incident. Following his arrest, Thomas was held in Tennessee before being extradited back to Elkhart County to face the murder charge. A not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf, and a preliminary jury trial was scheduled for August 30 of that year.
