Arrest made after shots fired at Marion County deputy

MARION COUNTY, Fla. (WOGX FOX 51) - A man is behind bars, charged with attempted murder of a Marion County sheriff's deputy and manslaughter in death of his mother. 

The Marion County Sheriff's Office says Malcom Thomas, 28, fired several shots at one of their deputies on Thursday as a deputy was keeping watch of a crime scene where a woman had been fatally shot.  According to the Sheriff's Office, that deputy heard shots being fired from behind the home, got out of his car, went around to the back of the house and found a man dressed in camouflage yelling for the deputy to leave. 

Investigators say that man took off running.  According to Thomas’ arrest affidavit, investigators say Thomas turned around, fired four to five rounds then kept running.  A MCSO deputy K-9 tracked Thomas down. Once in custody, investigators say Thomas admitted it was him behind the house, but he denied shooting at the deputy.  

Detectives say Thomas admitted to being in the home when the woman was shot and killed early Thursday morning.  

Further investigation of the crime scene led deputies to believe that Thomas shot the woman, identified later as Thomas' mother, Pearlie Mae Thomas.  Deputies said Thomas was displaying a gun during an altercation with his adult brother and the weapon discharged, striking his mother in the chest -- the result of culpable negligence.

MCSO says Thomas has a lengthy criminal history, including five felony convictions.  At the time of his arrest, investigators say Thomas had several warrants out for his arrest in Glades County, Florida for aggravated assault with a firearm, discharging a firearm in public, and possession of a firearm by convicted felon.  

Sheriff Woods says this is the second time this week that someone has fired shots at one of his deputies.