Suspect dead, names released in shooting at apartment complex

JONESBORO, AR (KAIT) - The names and circumstances have been released in Tuesday’s apartment complex shooting that injured a man, a police K-9, and the suspect.

According to Jonesboro Police, Brenda Thomas, 56 of Jonesboro, shot maintenance employee Dennis Mardis, 41, several times when he tried to enter her apartment to check on her.

Police say Mardis was responding to the apartment to check the well being of Thomas.

Thomas has since died from her injuries.

Mardis and a K9 officer both suffered injuries when Thomas opened fire on them Tuesday afternoon at her apartment in the 600-block of Gladiolus Drive.

Mardis was flown to Regional One Health in Memphis for medical treatment.

On Wednesday, Lindsey Management released a statement saying the man was home recovering:

The owners and management of Gladiola Estates and Gladiola Manor Apartments are thankful that the victim of the shooting is home and on the road to recovery. Our focus at this point is to provide support for the victim and his family, and the employees of these apartment communities.

We are grateful for the efforts of the Jonesboro Police officers, first responders, EMS, and the cooperation of the apartment communities’ residents. We also appreciate the efforts of the K9 officer Gabo that was injured, and are grateful this brave animal will survive.

After the shooting Thomas, refused to surrender and barricaded herself in the apartment.

The Jonesboro Police Department Crisis Negotiation Team, S.W.A.T. members, and Team Medic were activated.

After several hours of negotiations, officers deployed K9 officer Gabo to help arrest her.

Thomas shot the K9 officer, then at officers who followed Gabo into the residence.

Thomas was reportedly hit by gunfire from the officers and medical care was given. She later died at a local hospital.

Gabo is currently in stable condition and being treated by local veterinarian, Dr. John Huff.

According to a Wednesday morning Facebook post by the Jonesboro Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 8, Gabo is “not out of the woods yet.”

Corporal David Stout said the gunshots caused “some bruising around his lungs and damage to his liver.”

Despite the injuries, he said Gabo “walked to the X-ray table and jumped up on it by himself.”

Stout commended Dr. Huff and his staff for their compassionate treatment.

No other officers were injured.

Arkansas State Police will take over the investigation of the shooting at the request of the Jonesboro Police Department.

EDITORS NOTE: A previous release from the Jonesboro Police Department wrongly identified the woman as 56-year-old Rhonda Thomas. They issued an updated release correctly identifying the suspect as 56-year-old Brenda Thomas.

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