1 dead, 2 hurt in shooting at home in Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Authorities say paranoia from alleged methamphetamine use caused a Sikeston, Mo., man to fire multiple shots late Thursday night inside the Poplar Bluff home of a relative, killing her and injuring two others.

Janice Nicole Thomas, 36, was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:26 a.m. Friday by Butler County Coroner Andy Moore.

"She died as the result of gunshot wounds," said Moore, who scheduled Dr. Russell Deidiker to perform Thomas' autopsy for 9 a.m. Monday in Farmington, Mo.

Thomas' 19-year-old daughter, Ladaijha Thomas, and Oshay Thomas-Allen, 25, of New Madrid, Mo., were treated at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for gunshot wounds.

The alleged gunman is identified as Ricky Dewayne Davis Jr., 31. The shooting occurred at the elder Thomas' residence in the 1100 block of Franklin Street.

Poplar Bluff Police officers were sent to that home at about 11:30 p.m. Thursday regarding a report of man inside the home with a gun.

As Cpl. Dusty Johnson was approaching the home, he reported he "could hear gunshots inside the residence with some projectiles exiting the residence near me."

Johnson, according to his report, took cover behind a vehicle. Additional officers also arrived and took cover.

The officers, Johnson said, could not see inside the home, but "we could hear screaming."

As the officers began to approach the home, Johnson said, the front door opened.

"A black male was laying on the ground (floor) with his hands up," Johnson said. "We could hear him talking; however, it was difficult to hear him.

"The black male, later identified as Ricky Davis Jr., was saying: 'Take me to jail.'"

Davis, Johnson said, told officers he was unarmed and said the gun was "over there."

Sgt. Chuck Harris reportedly took custody of Davis, who was handcuffed, while Johnson and other officers entered the home to look for victims and/or additional suspects.

In the first bedroom Johnson entered, he said, he found Ladaijha Thomas, lying in the floor bleeding, and Thomas-Allen, on the bed with an injury to his face. Johnson said Ladaijha Thomas reported she had been shot in the neck.

Two other women and a 3-year-old child also in the house were uninjured, Johnson said.

Janice Thomas, Johnson said, was found lying on a bed in a bedroom across the hall.

Patrolman Trevor Parks reported Janice Thomas appeared to have been shot in the chest.

During the ensuing investigation, Detective Dan Mustain reportedly interviewed Rayna Haggerty, who had been visiting the Thomas home.

"She said Ricky was talking nonsense, and he appeared to be on drugs," Mustain said. "When she (Haggerty) began talking to Janice, he became increasingly more agitated."

Davis, according to Haggerty's statement, began to yell at Thomas-Allen who was in living room.

"Once he started yelling, Janice told him he needed to grab his stuff and leave," Mustain said.

Davis, who, according to Lt. Josh Stewart, is a cousin to Janice Thomas, had been staying temporarily at the home.

Davis reportedly grabbed his clothes from the washing machine, placed some items in a duffle bag, exited the home and sat on the front porch.

"Then, there was a loud knock on the front door, and Ladaijha said: 'Come on in,'" Mustain said. "Ricky walked inside the residence and locked the door behind him.

"He repeatedly said he was not going to be disrespected." Haggerty told officers

Davis "mentioned a gun," at which point she pulled out her phone in an attempt to call police.

"When Ricky saw the phone, he said: 'Don't be filming me,'" Mustain said.

"He then removed a handgun from his waistband and lunged at (Haggerty) with the gun in his hand."

Haggerty reported she pulled her arms around her head and face in attempt to protect herself.

"Then, Janice came out of her bedroom and asked Ricky what he was doing," Mustain said.

Everyone, with the exception of Janice Thomas, reportedly sought refuge in the locked bedroom.

"Janice remained outside the bedroom and tried to talk Ricky into dropping the gun," Mustain said.

Ladaijha Thomas reportedly called 911 and "began frantically speaking with the dispatcher," Mustain said.

Davis subsequently asked whether the teen was "calling the cops on me" and then began kicking the door to gain entry.

When Davis allegedly entered, Ladaijha Thomas was standing in front of him.

"(Haggerty) saw a bright white light from the window, and Ricky raised the gun and shot Ladaijha in the neck and leg," Mustain said.

After Ladaijha Thomas fell to the ground, Haggerty reported she told the teen to pretend she was dead.

At the time the teen allegedly was shot, Thomas-Allen reportedly was sitting on the bed.

"There were several more shots, but (Haggerty) was unable to see who or where he was shooting," Mustain said. Thomas-Allen reportedly was shot in the mouth.

After a period of silence, Haggerty told Mustain, Davis asked for a cigarette, and she "tossed him a cigarette pack" after which Davis went into the living room. Janice Thomas' niece, Sharyea Farr, was interviewed by Detective Joey Woodruff.

Farr said she and her aunt were talking in a bedroom when they heard what she described as a commotion.

Farr told Woodruff she heard Haggerty screaming.

When her aunt opened the bedroom door, "(Farr) heard Oshay say that the man (Ricky Davis) pulled a gun on Rayna and took her phone," Woodruff said.

Farr, he said, further reported hearing her aunt tell

Davis to put the gun down and then heard "tussling" before the others joined her and her daughter in the bedroom.

After allegedly shooting Ladaijha Thomas, Farr accused Davis of pointing the gun at her, her daughter and Haggerty, but did not shoot them.

Farr further reported she heard two more gunshots, which she believed were fired at her aunt, who was in her bedroom.

Davis was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder, armed criminal action, two counts of first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and first-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Stewart said Davis, after being told of his rights, was interviewed.

"This happened basically ... due to paranoia brought on mostly by meth use," Stewart said. " ... It had nothing to do with the people there at the house.

"... He basically became so paranoid, he thought they were in on the plot to kill him."

Davis subsequently was booked and held in the Butler County Jail.