ROWLAND — A South Carolina man suspected of murdering his mother early Friday morning was shot and killed by law enforcement officers hours later following a high-speed chase through the southern part of Robeson County.
Jamake Cason Thomas, 22, of Bennettsville, S.C., was shot and killed after a chase through the Maxton and Rowland areas of Robeson County and then after he drove northward into southbound traffic on Interstate 95. The chase, which lasted more than an hour, involved Robeson County sheriff’s deputies initially and then highway patrolmen.
Patrol Sgt. Michael Baker said several unsuccessful attempts were made to stop the vehicle before Thomas’ silver Nissan Altima was spun to a stop near Exit 7 on Interstate 95. Thomas reportedly exited the vehicle firing shots, was shot and died at the scene. No one else was injured.
According to Highway Patrol, the two officers involved were Trooper Douglas Strickland and Trooper Henry Locklear, both of whom have been placed on administrative duty, which is protocol for when officers are involved in shootings. The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case, which is also protocol, and there will also be an internal investigation by the patrol.
Strickland, a nine-year veteran, and Locklear, a 12-year veteran, are both assigned to Robeson County.
Robeson County sheriff’s deputies did not fire any shots.
Thomas’ Altima showed visible evidence of an impact, and the driver’s side window had multiple gunshot holes.
According to the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office, Thomas was the suspect in the murder of his mother. Tina Thomas, 42, was shot and killed at a home on Adamsville Road in Bennettsville, South Carolina, at about 2 a.m. Friday. A few hours after a 911 call was received regarding Thomas’ death, Marlboro County Sheriff Charles Lemon called Robeson County Sheriff Kenneth Sealey, telling him that Jamake Thomas might be in the Maxton area.
Sheriff’s Maj. Anthony Thompson said deputies saw the suspect vehicle and a chase began at a bout 7:15 a.m. Before the chase began, a woman exited Thomas’ car. It is unclear who the woman was. Thompson said highway patrolmen joined the chase, and at that time the deputies dropped out of the chase.
Traffic was backed up in both directions of Interstate 95 for several hours following the incident. Southbound I-95 traffic was diverted at Exit 7 so the crime scene could be preserved while an on-site investigation was done.
