Ky Thomas

Ky Alicia Thomas, a 28-year-old Black woman and devoted mother of two, was building a promising future for her family. Born in Pasadena and raised in Rialto, she had recently purchased a new home and earned her broker’s license in the commercial trucking industry. Her mother, Cortlyn Bridges, described her as a “loving, kind and caring person who helped anybody.” In late 2020, less than a month after a difficult pregnancy and the birth of her son, she was looking forward to a relaxing day out.

On the afternoon of December 1, 2020, Thomas went to the Venice Beach boardwalk with her husband, her sister, and her sister’s boyfriend. At around 5:30 p.m., after renting a scooter near Ocean Front Walk and 17th Avenue, the group was confronted by several individuals outside the rental shop. An argument ensued, and shots were fired. Thomas was struck by the gunfire. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she died from her injuries. She left behind her 8-year-old daughter and infant son.

The Los Angeles Police Department began an investigation, stating that they believed the shooting was gang-related. Thomas’s mother vehemently disputed this, emphasizing that her daughter was a dedicated mother with no involvement in gang activity. The family pushed for justice, urging witnesses to come forward. The investigation led to the arrests of two men, Isiah Eugene Caldwell Jr., then 28, and Jonathan Michael Singh, then 30.

In January 2022, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office charged both Caldwell and Singh with murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder. Singh also faced a charge of possessing an assault weapon. Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The case against Isiah Eugene Caldwell Jr. later proceeded to a jury trial. Caldwell, identified by authorities as a member of the Venice Shoreline Crips gang, was convicted for the murder of Ky Thomas. In a dramatic courtroom hearing, a judge sentenced him to the maximum prison term allowed by law. The outcome of the case against Jonathan Michael Singh was not specified in available records. Following her daughter's death, Cortlyn Bridges became a vocal advocate against gun violence, working to honor Ky’s memory through a foundation established in her name.