A witness who testified for the defense during the capital murder trial of Michael A. Thomas escaped injury after shots were fired at the car he was driving early Saturday morning.
Tony Woods, 27, Thomas’ brother, reportedly had gone to the convenience store at Harding Avenue and Main Street and when he came out of the store, saw a group of people at the gas pumps who began shooting at him, according to his mother, Dora Woods.
Dora Woods is also the mother of Thomas, 29, who was convicted Friday of second-degree murder in the April 9, 2011, shooting death of Archie Kendrell Kirlin, 24, of Pine Bluff. Thomas was sentenced to six years in prison.
Bullet holes could be seen in the car Tony Woods was driving and one of the tires was flat when a police crime scene technician processed the vehicle Saturday morning at an apartment complex on Olive Street. One bullet reportedly lodged in the back of one of the car’s seats.
Dora Woods said her son ran from the scene while being shot at and hid until the alleged assailants left, then went back and got the car and drove it to the apartment complex on a flat tire.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Multiple shell casings reportedly were found on the parking lot of the convenience store, and those were collected by police.
The shooting reportedly occurred after 1 a.m., and no suspects were located or identified.
An investigation into the incident is continuing and anyone with information should contact the Detective Division at 730-2090. Tips also can be submitted through the police website at www.pbpd.org. To text a tip to police, text PBPD plus the message to 274637.