Once police made contact, they said Thomas was unresponsive inside the car and later pronounced dead by personnel from the fire department. McDonald does not believe Thomas had a weapon. "It's a travesty the way they're out here killing kids and he had no weapon whatsoever," said the victim's father. The medical examiner's report says Thomas died from a gunshot wound after a bullet entered his upper back on the right side. Thomas was hired as a mechanic just three months ago. The officer who shot Thomas was placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure for the Smyrna Police Department.