A Smyrna police officer involved in a controversial shooting is being promoted, and activists are planning to protest the promotion.
Community activists told Channel 2 Action News on Tuesday that they plan to protest the promotion of Sgt. Kenneth Owens, the officer who shot and killed 25-year-old Nicholas Thomas last March.
Officers said Thomas got into a customer’s Maserati and tried to run them over rather than submit to arrest. Owens fired into the moving car, which came to a stop outside the Cumberland Parkway Goodyear tire store where Thomas worked.
Smyrna police said Owens will be promoted to lieutenant this month with more responsibilities and a pay raise.
Activists told Channel 2 that the Owens’ promotion sends the wrong message, and they plan on protesting in Smyrna in the coming days.
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