Q&A on the News
Q: I saw where the police officer who shot Nicholas Thomas, who allegedly was trying to run him over, has had one arrest. What was that for? How many times has Thomas been arrested, and for what?
—Al Cooper, Atlanta
A: Sgt. Kenneth Owens, the Smyrna police officer identified as shooting and killing Thomas, was arrested and charged with simple battery after a 1999 domestic dispute.
Owens, who was with Cobb County police then, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.
Owens is in charge of the street crimes unit and has been with the Smyrna Police Department since 2001.
Thomas had been arrested numerous times throughout the Atlanta area, including a previous incident involving a police officer.
He pleaded guilty in Cobb County in 2014 to a March 2013 charge of aggravated assault on a peace officer by “driving and accelerating his motor vehicle at” a Kennesaw State University officer, the AJC reported. He was sentenced to seven years, but spent 56 days in jail and was serving the rest on probation.
His other arrests include:
- Drug charge and making false statements, Clayton County (March, 2014)
- Burglary and obstructing an officer, Forest Park (September 2013)
- Failing to appear in court on identity theft charges, Atlanta (September 2013)
- Unspecified charge, Lawrenceville (May 2012)
- Theft by receiving stolen property, Atlanta (June 2012)
- Attempting to elude police and other traffic charges, Atlanta (2011)
- Possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and operating a vehicle without a tag or decal, Gwinnett County (July 2011)
Smyrna police said Thomas was killed March 24 while attempting to avoid arrest for a probation violation.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
