BRUSHFORK, WV (WOAY) – Three men have been arrested following a shooting death in the parking lot of Brushfork Elementary School on Friday.
According to a criminal complaint, Terrence Shade Thomas fired the shots that fatally wounded Dawlton Blankenship. Police believe that Terrence Shade Thomas, Terrence Charles Thomas and Bradley Scott Billings sent threatening messages to Blankenship and three other alleged victims to get them to come to the school to fight.
The victims told police that when they arrived at the school, they saw Terrence Shade Thomas standing holding a gun. When the victims tried to drive off, Thomas allegedly fired several shots, hitting Blankenship in the head. He was rushed to the hospital and ultimately died from his injuries.
The state police were able to arrest Thomas at his house in Princeton. He claimed the victims had brought hammers and brass knuckles to the fight. In response, he said he got his pistol from the truck.
He also claimed that the victims tried to get in their truck and run over his father, Terrence Charles Thomas. At that point, he says he fired the gun. Afterward, he gave his father the gun.
Terrance Charles Thomas showed troopers where the gun, a black Taurus 9mm handgun, was along Dawson School Road.
According to the State Police, Terrence Shade Thomas has been charged with first-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder, and conspiracy. His father, Terrence Charles Thomas, has been charged with first degree murder conspiracy. Bradley Scott Billings has been charged with conspiracy as well.
