Dallas

Dallas singer hospitalized after shooting inside downtown theater

NBC Universal, Inc.

A North Texas artist is recovering after she was shot following a performance in downtown Dallas Saturday.

Witnesses tell NBC 5 singer Jada Arnell Thomas was signing autographs on stage following a performance with The Black Academy of Arts and Letters when a woman in the crowd shot her.

โ€œIt was a packed house, people were in line getting autographs and we heard this shot,โ€ said TBAALโ€™s founder and director Curtis King. โ€œIt was unreal. It was like everything was in slow motion.โ€

King said he and staff followed the shooter outside while they called 911 and officers arrested the woman inside the lobby of a nearby hotel.

The Dallas Police Department confirmed officers arrested Micah Williams, 26, in the 200 block of S. Akard and a handgun was recovered.

Williams was booked into the Dallas County jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Her bond is set at $200,000, according to records.

King said Thomas had just thanked him for his leadership at TBAAL before the shooting.

โ€œShe said, โ€˜Big Papa aka Mr. King thank you for providing a safe space for us to be able to have a platform to perform as young artists, etc.โ€™ And then five-ten minutes later here she on the floor, sheโ€™s saying, โ€˜she shot me,โ€™โ€ King said.

Police did not release a motive and it is unclear if the victim and suspect knew each other.

Witnesses tell NBC 5, singer Jada Arnell Thomas was signing autographs on stage following a performance with The Black Academy of Arts and Letters when a woman in the crowd shot her.

King said Arnell Thomas remains hospitalized but is progressing. He said her family appreciates the prayers and support theyโ€™ve received from the Dallas arts community and beyond.

โ€œMy girl sheโ€™s strong. Sheโ€™s resilient. Sheโ€™s a fighter,โ€ King said. โ€œShe will sing and soar and sheโ€™ll be even better when she gets back on her feet.โ€

King announced in a social media post that TBAAL is working to strengthen security and their screening process, including decreasing the number of entry points to focus on preventing weapons.

Contact Us