Officers with the Gretna Police Department are investigating a reported homicide that occurred on Saturday, January 29, at around 2:11 p.m.
According to the report issued by Gretna Police Chief Brian Alexander, police officers were called to Forterra Pipe and Precast, a business on Dritches Clary Drive in Gretna, after receiving reports of an individual having sustained gunshot wounds.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found a male gunshot victim lying on the ground, near his vehicle, in the outdoor storage area of the business.
During the investigation into the shooting, police officers say that they discovered that a recently terminated employee of a private trucking company, which provided product services to Forterra, was asked by the victim to return property that was owned by the trucking company.
According to Gretna police, when the suspect arrived at the business, he made contact with the victim and there was a short exchange between the suspect and the victim, before police believe the suspect pulled a gun, shot the victim, and fled the scene.
The suspect was identified by Gretna Police Department as Sedric Thomas.
The report states that later that day, Thomas contacted the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office and informed deputies that he was involved in the shooting in Gretna.
After that call, deputies from the sheriff’s office responded to Thomas’ home.
According to the Gretna Police Department, Thomas was apprehended by the deputies after a short standoff; Thomas was then taken into custody and booked into the Gadsden County Jail.
Thomas is facing charges of first degree murder.
In compliance with Marsy’s Law, the Gretna Police Department is not releasing the victim’s name.
Investigators with the Gretna Police Department ask that citizens with information regarding this incident to contact the department at (850) 856-9460.
The homicide investigation is being conducted by the Gretna Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, with the assistance of the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office.
Ashley Hunter – editor@prioritynews.net
