Ralph Thomas

The Metropolitan Police Department has made an arrest in last night’s shooting death of Ralph Thomas of Temple Hills in the parking lot of McKinley Tech High School. Fifth district police officers responded to the 100 block of T Street, NE at approximately 8:30 p.m. and found Thomas, 36, dead from his gunshot wounds. MPD announced this afternoon that Oma Crawford, 25, has been charged with first degree murder while armed.

Early on in the investigation, D.C. public school officials said Thomas did not appear to have any connection with the school. Later, MPD Inspector Michael Eldridge confirmed on the MPD-5D Yahoo list-serve that the shooting appears to have not been a random act. Homicide Watch D.C. quickly found an outpouring of condolences for Thomas on Facebook and Twitter, hours before Thomas’ identity was confirmed by MPD.

Since the announcement of an arrest, much of the local discussion has congratulated Chief Lanier and MPD for quickly resolving the case.