Family of Man Slain By Smyrna Police Want Independent Investigation

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The family of the 25-year-old man who was shot and killed by a police officer who was attempting to serve an arrest warrant on him want independent investigators to look at the case.

Nicholas Thomas was wanted on a probation violation when Smyrna and Cobb police came to the Goodyear Tire where he worked inside the Vinings Crossing shopping center at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Thomas, who was pulling into the back of the store with a white Maserati owned by a customer, allegedly drove the vehicle around the building several times “in a reckless manner” before allegedly directing it at the officers. One of the officers fired at the car, killing Thomas.

Police say that the Smyrna police officer who fired at the Maserati was in fear for his life, and fired to protect himself and his comrades. Thomas’ family thinks there could have been a less-than-lethal solution to the situation and wants an outsider’s perspective on the shooting, WSB-TV reports.

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The Thomas family’s attorneys want to see the surveillance footage of the Goodyear parking lot, and also want the GBI to get involved with the investigation. The bureau told WSB-TV on Wednesday that it was not participating in the process as of that moment.

The officer who shot Thomas is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, Smyrna police said.