Store Shooting No Charges

It was only a few days into the New Year when Monroe Police said that Monquarrius Thomas was wanted for allegedly attempting to rob the Dollar General Store located on South 8th Street in Monroe. The January 2, 2023 incident was another in a string of robberies that MPD said had occurred at the store over the last five months, but this one ended tragically. Police said Thomas, the alleged robber, used a handgun while attempting to rob the store when he was shot by an on-duty store clerk. Officers responded quickly to the store, where they found the suspect outside, where he died from his wounds. Police reports said that Thomas was lying in the money taken from the store during the robbery. Police also said that a customer inside the store suffered a gunshot wound. The customer suffered no life-threatening injuries, was treated at a hospital, and was later released. After the shooting, the store clerk went to MPD and gave a statement regarding the shooting. He said that he feared for his life, so he produced a gun of his own and shot the suspect. According to him, the store had been robbed at least six times. The store's employee was arrested and charged with manslaughter following the shooting. A grand jury was impaneled to consider whether to recommend for prosecution. On May 18, 2023, the grand jury decided not to press charges against the store employee, according to his attorney. He has maintained that he was acting in self-defense when he shot Thomas, as it appears that the grand jury felt that his actions were justified.