***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 08, 2021

ELKHART COUNTY FUGITIVE CHARGED WITH MURDER APPREHENDED IN TENNESSEE

Media Contact: Vicki Elaine Becker (574) 296-1888

Less than a month after Prosecuting Attorney Vicki Becker filed a formal charge of Murder against Darius K. Thomas, 26, of Middlebury, Indiana, and requested assistance of the United States Marshals Service, Thomas was apprehended without incident in Memphis, Tennessee. Thomas is being held in Tennessee pending extradition at this time.

On February 2, 2021, the Elkhart County Homicide Unit responded to 1221 South Main Street, Elkhart, where witnesses had reported a young man had been shot. Shamar Barnes, 19, of Elkhart, was transported to Elkhart General Hospital, but succumbed to fatal gunshot wounds. On February 8, 2021, the Homicide Unit presented sufficient information to Prosecutor Becker for the filing of the formal charge of Murder, and Judge Michael Christofeno, Elkhart Circuit Court, issued an Arrest Warrant after finding Probable Cause to do so. The United States Marshals Service tracked Thomas to Memphis, Tennessee, and was able to take him into custody on March 4, 2021.

Upon Thomas returning to Elkhart County, an Initial Hearing will be held in the Elkhart Circuit Court and future dates will be calendared at that time. The case is considered an on-going investigation. Anyone with information should call the Elkhart County Homicide Unit at 574-295-2825 or 574-296-1888.

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“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”