Rising Dallas singer Jada Arnell Thomas was left critically injured after a shocking incident during a meet-and-greet following her performance on Saturday night, Nov. 2, 2024.
The 26-year-old artist was signing autographs for fans at the Black Academy of Arts and Letters in Downtown Dallas when, in an unprovoked attack, a woman in the autograph line shot her in the chest.
Dallas Police responded to the scene shortly before 6 p.m., where witnesses reported the chaotic aftermath. The alleged shooter, 26-year-old Micah Williams, had watched Thomas’s entire performance before joining the autograph line, where she opened fire just feet away from the singer.
Authorities say around 200 people were present in the concert hall when the shooting occurred, and many of them witnessed Williams fire the shot before attempting to flee.
Curtis King, founder of the Black Academy of Arts and Letters, was one of the first to respond to the shooting, chasing after Williams on foot.
King spotted Williams fleeing to a nearby hotel and pursued her into the lobby, where police later apprehended her and found a handgun in her purse.
Reflecting on the incident, King shared his disbelief and determination:
“I am not going to allow people to walk in fear and come to a place that I enjoy.”
While in custody, Williams admitted to the shooting, alleging she had past conflicts with Thomas—a claim police are currently investigating. Williams now faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and is being held in the Dallas County Jail.
As for Thomas, she remains in the hospital recovering from surgery, where she is only able to communicate by writing notes due to her injuries.
Performances originally scheduled for Monday at the Black Academy have been canceled, and King has announced plans to heighten security, including adding metal detectors and limiting building entrances.
The motive for the shooting remains under investigation as fans, friends, and family pray for Thomas’s recovery.
