Georgia Police Make Arrest In Connection To Fatal Shooting Of Deputy

Georgia police announced on Jan. 3 that they've made an arrest in connection to the killing of a Fulton County deputy.

Deputy Chief Charles Hampton Jr. announced that Alton Oliver, 26, has been arrested in connection to the fatal shooting of 24-year-old deputy James Thomas. Oliver is charged with felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

"Great work by the homicide team, crime scene technician, we spent hours canvassing and looking for additional information," Hampton said.

Police did not elaborate on what led them to Oliver, only lauding the "work of citizens," who included a 911 caller and truck drivers who gave police dashcam videos.

According to police, Thomas was found fatally shot in the driver's seat of a wrecked vehicle at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Dec. 29 on Bolton Road in the Riverside neighborhood.

According to Hampton, it is believed that "the suspect was on foot and there was some type of argument that escalated to the gunfire."

Police said they don't have reason to believe that Thomas and Oliver knew each other before the incident took place.

Fulton Sheriff Pat Labat lauded the arrest, saying "we're extremely grateful to the investigative work that led to the arrest." "The family needs time to heal and we ask you to give them the grace and space to do so," Labat said.

Police say services for Thomas will be held in Mississippi, where he is from. There will also be a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Fulton County Government Center in Assembly Hall.

According to 11 Alive, Thomas had been with the department for less than a year.