Jada Arnell Thomas Dallas singer shot onstage while signing autographs after performance by Micah Williams alleged to have been suffering mental health episode. Suspect alleges victim previously harassing her. Incident took place at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters.
A Dallas singer is recovering in hospital after she was shot onstage while signing autographs following a performance at a downtown theater over the weekend.
Police responded to reports of a shooting on Saturday, Nov. 2, shortly before 6 p.m. at 600 S. Griffin St., at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters.
Jada Arnell Thomas, 26, had been shot by a woman in the crowd while onstage signing autographs after finishing her show. She was transported to a nearby hospital and in stable condition, police said.
Mental health episode
Micah Williams, 26, identified as the suspect was arrested a few streets away in the 200 block of Akard St. Williams was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and was booked into the Dallas County Jail. A handgun was recovered during her arrest, FOX4 reported.
Dallas police said Williams, was suffering from a mental health episode when she shot Jada Thomas, WFAA reported. According to the outlet, Williams previously claimed that Thomas was harassing her.
‘It was a packed house, people were in line getting autographs and we heard this shot,’ TBAAL’s founder and director Curtis King said according to KXAS. ‘It was unreal. It was like everything was in slow motion.’
The Black Academy of Arts and Letters vows to tighten security
King told the station that he and other members of the staff followed the shooter outside as they called 911. Police found the woman in the lobby of a nearby hotel and arrested her.
Following the shooting, Curtis King released a statement announcing enhanced security measures going forward including tighter screening of guests, acquiring metal detectors and reducing the number of entry points into the building.
Curtis reiterated, ‘…our mission to enrich the community through the arts remains unwavering.’
King told WFAA that Thomas has been performing at his organization since she was 10 years old and will return to sing.
No known motive was immediately known.
Authorities did not say whether the suspect personally knew her victim or whether they had watched Thomas sing before shooting the performer.
A scheduled performance for Monday night has been canceled.
Williams remained held in Dallas County Jail on a $200,000 bond.
