An arrest warrant has been issued for a North Wales man in connection with a pair of shooting incidents that occurred on Saturday morning in Upper Gwynedd Township and left two hospitalized – including the mother of his children.
Damian Thomas, 23, of the 200 block of Walnut Street, has been charged with two felony counts of aggravated assault, along with misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment and simple assault, in connection with the investigation.
According to the criminal complaint, Thomas and his girlfriend — who is also the mother of his children — got into an argument during the morning of April 16, at which point the girlfriend went for a walk and was later picked up by a male friend who drove the two to around for a period. As the two were driving, Thomas continued to call and text the female, however she told police that she ignored the efforts to contact her.
Around 10:09 a.m., the two were traveling westbound along the 600 block of Sumneytown Pike when Thomas appeared in their rearview mirror in a silver Chevrolet SUV, police said. Thomas then allegedly struck the vehicle from behind, pulled up on the driver’s side of the vehicle and fired one shot, shattering the rear driver’s side window and causing a bullet fragment injury to the male driver’s head, according to charging documents.
Immediately after the shot was fired, the driver pulled a U-turn, drove to safety, and had the female exit the vehicle. He then continued to drive a short distance before he became light-headed and blood began dripping into his eyes, at which point he was able to flag down a police officer and was subsequently transported to the hospital for treatment.
Investigators said the entire incident was captured on surveillance footage.
The female hid behind a tree in the area where she was dropped off, but after 20 to 30 minutes, Thomas became aware of her location, arrived at the scene, and picked her up, police said. Thomas then drove around yelling at the female while waiving a handgun, then proceeded to repeatedly pistol whip the female in the head, according to the complaint.
The victim told police she was scared and began to stare out the window, at which point Thomas allegedly shot her in the left thigh. Thomas then drove the victim to Abington Memorial Hospital and carried her into the emergency room, then stated that he was going to kill himself.
According to Upper Gwynedd Police Chief David Duffy, Thomas’ two children were in the backseat of his vehicle during both shooting incidents, as well as when he was pistol whipping their mother in the head.
“The fact that the kids were in the car as he fired at both persons is the most disturbing part of an already horrific incident,” Duffy said, adding that the children have been taken into safety.
Police are seeking public assistance in locating Thomas, who is believed to be operating a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse with PA registration LVJ9683 and a pink sticker in the upper right portion of the rear window.
Thomas is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who may see him or has information regarding his whereabouts is asked to immediately dial 9-1-1.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
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