Vanessa Thomas was 30 when she was killed on April 15, 2016, while riding as a passenger in a vehicle in the Hout Circle area of Newport, Arkansas. The car was struck repeatedly in a sudden burst of gunfire and at least one bullet fatally wounded Thomas.

The investigation led to an arrest days later. On April 19 law enforcement from the Arkansas State Police and the Batesville Police Department took 18-year-old Andwelle Sieed Ellis into custody. He was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Thomas’s death and with 30 counts of committing a terroristic act related to the shooting.

If anyone knew Vanessa or has information about what happened in the Hout Circle area that day, please come forward to assist the ongoing matter.