DETROIT (WWJ) – A 26-year-old man has been charged for illegally buying the gun allegedly used in the fatal shooting of Detroit police officer Loren Courts last week.
Sheldon Avery Thomas was charged Sunday with the illegal straw purchase of the gun that was later used by 19-year-old Ehmani Davis in the July 6 shooting that claimed the officer’s life.
A criminal complaint filed on Sunday alleges Thomas made a false statement when he bought the gun, a Romarm/Cugir, Draco, 7.62 caliber pistol, from Action Impact in Eastpointe. Thomas said he was buying the gun for himself, when in fact, he intended to give it to Davis.
The court document says Thomas admitted to investigators that he bought the gun for his friend. He and Davis went to the store on two different occasions, including on June 7 when Thomas was seen on camera walking out and later meeting up with Davis.
Davis is accused of firing shots near the intersection of Joy and Marlowe, striking officer Courts as he and his partner, officer Amanda Hudgens, responded to the scene.
Other officers returned fire, killing Davis, who was reportedly under investigation for a drive-by shooting. He had also previously been charged with a weapons offense.
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Thomas was arraigned virtually on Sunday. U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison said purchasing a gun for someone who is legally prohibited from possessing one can be chargeable with 10 years in prison.
His next court date is scheduled for Tuesday.
Sunday’s court filing says investigators found a sales record for the Draco with Thomas’s name on it, as well as a receipt for the gun and two boxes of ammunition.
Thomas told special agents he recalled telling Davis “don’t do nothing f***ing stupid because my name is on it,” when he gave him the gun, according to the court document.
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