DETROIT (WWJ) – The Detroit man who purchased the gun used in the fatal shooting of Detroit police officer Loren Courts last summer has been sentenced to two years in prison.
Sheldon Thomas, 27, learned his sentence Wednesday, about 10 months after he bought a Century Arms Draco pistol from Action Impact in Eastpointe.
Thomas admitted to lying on the Federal Firearms Transaction Record Form 4473, by falsely certifying he would be the owner of the gun, when he knew he was purchasing it for Ehmani Davis, according to the office of United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
It was one of several admitted attempts to buy the gun for Davis, who ultimately shot Courts on July 6, 2022, just a month after the purchase. Thomas gave Davis the firearm on the day of the purchase and received payment from Davis the same day, according to Ison's office.
Courts was killed after being called to the scene of a suspect "firing shots indiscriminately" in the area of Joy Road and Marlowe Street on the city's west side.
Authorities said Courts and his partner, Amanda Hudgens, were sitting in their patrol car when he was struck in the neck.
Davis was killed by other officers responding to the scene.
"The tragic death of Detroit Police Officer Loren Courts is another terrible example of what happens when guns are supplied to those who are prohibited from possessing them,"Ison said in a press release. "Fighting violent crime is a top priority in our office, and we are committed to holding accountable those who engage in illicit firearm transactions."
