An 18-year-old man was apprehended Friday afternoon (Oct. 1) by Roswell Police Department officers within minutes of a shooting in which he is accused of killing his roommate following an argument.
Chavis Lewis Thomas is charged with second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and possession of a controlled substance. He is being held at the Chaves County Detention Center without bond pending his arraignment in court.
Police were called around 3 p.m. Friday to a residence in the 700 block of East Bland Street where Thomas and the victim, 20-year-old Chadrick James, were living. Investigators learned the two men had started arguing inside the residence and then the argument continued outside. Thomas is alleged to have shot James once in the abdomen before walking away heading west on Bland.
Officers quickly identified the shooter and located Thomas walking in the 200 block of East Deming Street. A handgun believed to be used to shoot James was found a couple blocks away. A baggie with nearly an ounce of cocaine was found in Thomas’ pocket.
Medics transported James to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.
Thomas remained in police custody while RPD’S Criminal Investigations Division continued the investigation. Thomas was formally arrested following the issuance of an arrest warrant early Saturday morning (Oct. 2).