A 22-year-old Opelika man died three days after he was shot Friday night in an Opelika shooting on Powledge Avenue, authorities said.
Jerryonne Ja’Quion Patterson, 23, of Opelika was arrested and charged with the murder of Ja’tavious Thomas. He is being held at the Lee County Jail with a $76,000 bond.
Opelika police said additional charges are pending.
Thomas’ body was transported to the Alabama Medical Examiners in Montgomery for a post-mortem exam, Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton said.
Opelika police officers were called to the 900 Block of Powledge Avenue around 5:57 p.m. Friday to investigate a reported shooting. Witnesses said they heard several gunshots in the area, according to the police report.
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“While officers were responding to the scene, an on-duty officer working at East Alabama Medical Center notified dispatch that a 22-year-old male had just arrived at the Emergency Room with a gunshot wound,” the police report states.
Thomas was admitted to the hospital, where he remained in critical condition for three days before dying on Monday.
Detectives have not released any information on a motive at this time. As they continue to investigate the case, they do not yet know whether there will be more arrests, said Allison Duke, the OPD community relations administrator.
“The Opelika Police Department would like to thank the Lee County SWAT Team and the Auburn Police Department for their assistance,” the OPD stated in a release.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Opelika Police Department’s Detective Division at 334-705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at 334-745-8665. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Opelika Police Mobile App.
