Third Tacoma Homicide of 2016: Julian "Jay" Thomas
On Monday, February 2nd, 23-year-old Julian Thomas was in a good mood. He and two others were on their way to pick up his newborn son. They stopped at a gas station on Center and Union just after 12:30pm. Julian who went by Jay was in the driver’s seat when a 29-year-old he had a dispute with a few months ago recognized him.
Witnesses say there were no words exchanged and that the man proceeded to fire a 9mm pistol at Jay in his car, reloading twice and firing a total of 46 bullets. Ten of those bullets hit Jay. Miraculously no one else was hit with the barrage of bullets the shooter unleashed.
As of this writing the shooter is said to have fled to California with his brother. Both have been charged and are wanted fugitives.
The senselessness of this murder cannot be overstated. The only solace to be found is that there were not more victims and this sort of thing doesn’t happen very often around here. A child will now grow up without his father for no good reason whatsoever simply because a man with a gun lacked the moral fortitude to control himself.
Jay’s family has set up a crowdfunding page to help the family with this tragic event. The link is here.
As always the comments section is reserved for those who knew Jay and want to share thoughts or memories of the man who was lost. All comments are moderated by me.
- Jack Cameron
