In a shocking turn of events, Dallas singer Jada Arnell Thomas, 26, was shot onstage while signing autographs after a performance with The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) in downtown Dallas. Thomas, known for her powerful vocals and dedicated following, was in the midst of engaging with fans on Saturday night when a member of the crowd opened fire, according to Dallas Police and NBC DFW.
The assailant, identified as 26-year-old Micah Williams, was arrested shortly after the incident. Witnesses recount the terrifying scene, noting that Thomas was celebrating a successful evening and thanking Curtis King, TBAAL’s founder, for his continued support moments before gunshots echoed through the venue. “She thanked me for always supporting us and giving us a ‘safe’ place to work,” King shared on social media. Just moments later, the tragic incident unfolded, casting a shadow over an otherwise joyful event.
Dallas Fire Rescue responded promptly, transporting Thomas to a nearby hospital where she was later reported to be in stable condition, according to the Dallas Police Department. In a statement to NBC News, officers confirmed that Williams was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and remains in custody at the Dallas County Jail. Police have not disclosed a motive for the shooting, leaving questions surrounding the connection between Thomas and Williams. The investigation remains active as authorities work to piece together the circumstances leading up to the incident.
Curtis King, deeply shaken by the event, expressed his dismay over the violence. “It was unreal. It was like everything was in slow motion,” he told NBC DFW. King recalled the horror as he, along with TBAAL staff, followed the suspect outside before authorities found her in the lobby of a nearby hotel. Reflecting on the tragedy, King took to social media, saying, “It is eerie to know that we now live in the kind of world with people who seem to be bent on doing harm to others, often for no apparent and sensible reason.”
Despite the traumatic event, King expressed faith in Thomas’s recovery, describing her as “courageously strong, resilient, and a devout child of God,” and asked the community to keep her in their prayers. King also assured supporters that TBAAL would be taking immediate steps to improve security measures. The academy plans to reduce entry points and increase screenings to prevent weapons from entering their premises.
“For 48 years, TBAAL has proudly maintained a tradition of safe, family-oriented events and a welcoming environment,” King stated in a separate post. “Our patrons are upstanding citizens who share our commitment to a safe, positive environment for all. As we continue forward, our mission to enrich the community through arts remains unwavering.”
Founded in 1977, TBAAL has long been a respected cultural institution, dedicated to promoting an appreciation of African, African-American, and Caribbean arts and letters. The academy’s mission emphasizes creating awareness of cultural and aesthetic diversity, and it has built a reputation as a safe and inclusive space for artists and audiences alike.
The incident has left a lasting impact on Dallas’s arts community, raising concerns about safety and prompting calls for vigilance. As Jada Arnell Thomas recovers, her courage and resilience serve as a beacon of hope for those around her, reminding the community of the enduring spirit of the arts in the face of adversity.