August 31, 2003
Fitzgerald- Remnants of crime scene tape still remain in front of Fitzgerald Elementary school -the last place where 26 year old James Thomas stood alive.
"He was a good man. He had a lot of potential; he had a little record company going. I don't know who would do such a thing," says one of Thomas's friends who wished to remain anonymous.
He says he saw his friend just hours before the shooting. "I said I can't be him, it's not him and I went down there and it was him," he adds.
Police responded to reports of gunshots in the 400 block of Alamaha about 2:45 AM, but Thomas was already on his way to the hospital.
"The person driving the vehicle actually flagged the police down and explained to the police what was going on, and of course the police said take off and go on to the hospital," explains Cpt. Tommy Clarke.
But when they arrived Thomas was already gone. Police say they belive the gunman may still be in the area.
"Fitzgerald police department is going to do their upmost best to solve this case, but we can't do it without some help from the people out there on the street," Clarke says.
Friends are also urging those with information come forward with hopes that they'll have some closure about losing a friend they say was going to the top.
If you have any information contact the Fitzgerald Police Department investigative unit at 229-426-5000.
Posted at 7:10 PM by elaine.armstrong@walb.com
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Worldnow and WALB, a Raycom Media Station. 
