ROYAL PALM BEACH, Fla. — A 37-year-old man is in custody after a victim was fatally shot in a Royal Palm Beach neighborhood last weekend.
Sammie Thomas of Boynton Beach was arrested Thursday and booked into the main Palm Beach County jail.
Thomas is accused of gunning down a 32-year-old man on Saturday in the 100 block of Nottingham Road near Crestwood Boulevard. Thomas was listed as a resident there.
The victim was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center where he later died from his injuries.
A witness told detectives children were inside the bedroom at the time of the shooting and at least one of them witnessed the entire shooting, according to surveillance video.
In a sworn interview, a woman said she arrived at the residence before the shooting to pick up two children for a prearranged visit. A man was upset the children were "not being ready to go."
The man "inexplicably began pointing the firearm at her and Sammie Thomas. Within second, Sammie Thomas produces his firearm and shot (deleted) multiple times."
Deputies said evidence contradicted a witness' statement that Thomas fired in self-defense.
Thomas faces a charge of second-degree murder with a firearm, shooting inside a dwelling and aggravated child abuse.
Investigators believe Thomas and the victim knew each other.
The sheriff's office has not released the name of the man who was killed.
In first appearance Friday, no bond was set and his next court appearance is July 10 at 10:30 a.m.
