An Orange County community is grappling with shock and sorrow after 49-year-old Jade Monique Thomas was fatally shot early Friday morning. The shooting occurred in the 8200 block of South Orange Blossom Trail, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, before 4 a.m. Thomas found with gunshot wounds, succumbed to her injuries after being taken to the hospital, as reported by Click Orlando.
Willie Paul, the mother of the victim, devastated by the loss mentioned to WESH, "I just fell to pieces when I heard someone killed my baby." With the investigation in its early stages, authorities are urgently seeking information and a suspect.
Lecia Paul, the sister of Jade Monique Thomas, remembered her for her capacity to lift the spirits of those around her. "She was just the funniest person and could turn your day around in a matter of seconds," Lecia stated, as per WESH. The family is seeking answers and has made a public appeal for anyone with information to come forward to help them find closure.
The family reported that Thomas was shot in her car, which was parked in a strip mall parking lot. "Someone just needs to say something, and someone had to see something. We hope cameras captured something," Willie Paul expressed to WESH, underscoring the desperation for any leads. The family resolves to "stay in this fight to find justice for her."
The Orange County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the homicide. Community members with information can contact Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477) or leave a tip online. Incentives for tips leading to felony arrests or recovery of stolen property and drugs could result in cash rewards of up to $1,000.
