Home » Mother of 2016 Murder Victim Makes Public Plea, Seeks Witnesses With New Information About Deadly Shooting

Mother of 2016 Murder Victim Makes Public Plea, Seeks Witnesses With New Information About Deadly Shooting

By  //  December 10, 2020

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have a tip? call CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477)

The mother of a homicide victim made another public plea for information in the ongoing investigation of her son’s homicide. (CPD image)

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – The mother of a homicide victim made another public plea for information in the ongoing investigation of her son’s homicide.

On the eve of the 4th anniversary of the shooting that led to the death of Jonte Thomas, Anita Gibson, who was joined by family and friends, asked anyone with information to come forward so the family could have closure.

“I just want to know the ‘why’ and the ‘who’,” she said during the morning media briefing.

“Justice is bittersweet and Jonte’s death is going to be a memory that lasts with me until I die. I ask that whoever knows whatever happened to him to come forward. I need closure in that area. I need it so badly.”

Jonte Thomas, 36, was shot on December 9, 2016. He died on May 1, 2017.

During the early morning hours of December 9, 2016, Thomas and two others were returning home from celebrating Cocoa High School’s State Championship victory which occurred the evening of December 8, 2016.

Jonte Thomas was driving a white Chevy Impala with two passengers. As they drove north on Fiske and turned left onto Mitchell Street they heard gunshots. (CPD image)

Thomas was driving a white Chevy Impala with two passengers. As they drove north on Fiske and turned left onto Mitchell Street they heard gunshots.

Thomas was struck and the passenger in the front seat attempted to render aid as two more shots were fired. The other passenger fled the vehicle in fear for his life.

He later returned to provide information to detectives about what he witnessed. Detectives obtained video of the suspect vehicle which appeared to be a white Nissan Altima or Maxima, or similar vehicle.

“We have collected physical evidence and interviewed multiple witnesses in this investigation, but we still have a lot of unanswered questions,” said Cocoa Police Detective Anthony Colombo.

“We are hoping witnesses come forward with new information, regardless if they think it might be irrelevant, it could be the missing link we are looking for.”

There is a $5,000 reward offered through the Central Florida CRIMELINE for information in this case. Anyone with information is asked to contact CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477). Callers will remain anonymous.

“We are hoping witnesses come forward with new information, regardless if they think it might be irrelevant, it could be the missing link we are looking for.” (CPD image)
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