(STILLWATER, OK) – On Saturday, April 5, 2025, at approximately 8:45 p.m., officers with the Stillwater Police Department responded to a report of an assault at 1815 N. Boomer. Upon arrival, officers located a male adult inside an apartment with an apparent gunshot wound. Officers immediately rendered aid until LifeNet EMS and Stillwater Fire Department personnel arrived on scene.
The victim, Jerry Silas, 43, of Stillwater, was transported to Stillwater Medical Center and later airlifted to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries the next day.
SPD detectives responded to assist with the investigation. Preliminary information indicates that an argument occurred inside the apartment, which ultimately led to the shooting.
Through the course of the investigation, SPD detectives identified Damon Eugene Thomas Sr., 47, of Stillwater, as the suspect.
On Monday, April 7, 2025, detectives presented the case to the Payne County District Attorney’s Office, and a warrant was issued for Thomas on the charge of Manslaughter in the first degree after former felony conviction.
With the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Office, SPD’s Special Projects Unit, Thomas was located and arrested in Oklahoma City earlier today. He was transported to the SPD Jail and will later be transferred to the Payne County Jail.
This investigation is still ongoing, and detectives are following up on more leads. There is potential for additional charges. This is an arrest, not a conviction.
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