Pearlie Mae Thomas, a 58-year-old African American woman, was shot and killed on April 26, 2018, at the family home at 7900 NW 39th Avenue Road in Ocala, Florida. The shooting occurred during a violent altercation between her two sons, Malcolm J. Thomas and Kado Thomas, who were arguing over use of a spare bedroom. Pearlie was struck in the chest while trying to intervene and stop the fight.

Malcolm Thomas, then 28, retrieved a pistol and fired shots outside calling for his brother to come out, then returned inside and continued firing. He fled the scene but was later apprehended and charged with manslaughter in his mother’s death and with multiple other offenses, including attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Charges involving the officer relate to an incident in which Malcolm allegedly fired at Marion County Patrol Corp. Alan Hewett, who was guarding the scene; the deputy was not injured.

Reports note Malcolm was a convicted felon at the time; witnesses including his girlfriend Alexis Murray described hearing multiple gunshots and said Kado emerged claiming his brother had shot their mother. Malcolm maintained the shooting was unintentional and occurred during a struggle. Pearlie left behind her husband Lee Andrew Thomas, children and grandchildren. Does anyone have additional information about the day of the altercation or knew Pearlie and her family?