Damon Eugene Thomas Sr.
(STW Police Dept file photo)
By Patti Weaver
STILLWATER — A suspect in the fatal shooting of a man inside an apartment at 1815 N. Boomer in Stillwater on Saturday night was arrested Monday in Oklahoma City with the assistance of the U.S. Marshal’s Office and the Stillwater Police Department’s Special Projects Unit, according to an SPD news release.
The victim, Jerry Silas, 43, of Stillwater, was transported to the Stillwater Medical Center Saturday and airlifted to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City where he succumbed to his injuries on Sunday, the news release said.
“Through the course of the investigation, SPD detectives identified Damon Eugene Thomas Sr., 47, of Stillwater, as the suspect,” the news release said.
“On Monday, April 7, detectives presented the case to the Payne County District Attorney’s Office, and a warrant was issued for Thomas on the charge of manslaughter in the first degree after former felony conviction,” the news release said.
Following his arrest Monday, Thomas was transported to the SPD Jail and will later be transferred to the Payne County Jail, the news release said.
“Preliminary information indicates that an argument occurred inside the apartment, which ultimately led to the shooting,” the news release said.
Stillwater police officers had responded at 8:45 pm Saturday to a report of an assault at 1815 N. Boomer where officers found a man inside an apartment with an apparent gunshot, the news release said.
“Officers immediately rendered aid until LifeNet EMS and Stillwater Fire Department personnel arrived on scene,” the news release said.
The investigation is still ongoing, and detectives are following up on more leads, the news release said.
