James R. Thomas Jr., a 16-year-old student at Trotwood-Madison High School, was fatally shot in Dayton, Ohio, in the early hours of January 18, 2025. The shooting occurred about 12:57 a.m. in the 900 block of Sherwood Drive. Emergency responders found James unresponsive with a gunshot wound and he was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 1:10 a.m.

James’s death was one of several fatal shootings involving teenagers in Dayton in early 2025. A memorial service was held for him on February 1, 2025, at Thomas Funeral Home & Crematory in Trotwood. No arrests or public identification of suspects had been announced by the Dayton Police Department as of April 13, 2025, and the investigation remains open.

If anyone has information about what happened that night or knew James, please share what you know with the Dayton Police Department.