Police Ask for Help in Locating Murder Suspect

By Sam Thrift Thursday, January 12, 2012

Williamsburg Police are asking for the public's help in locating a 31-year-old Newport News man suspected of committing the Dec. 18 triple shooting in Williamsburg that left one man dead.

Tyshaun Lenard Thomas is wanted for the murder of 23-year-old Dontae Jamar Howard of Yorktown. Police said Howard was a bystander when he was shot in the head during the altercation in the 300 block of York Street. He was treated at Sentara Norfolk General for what police called a "serious head injury." He died two days later. Two other people were injured during the incident.

Major Greg Riley of the Williamsburg Police said all three victims and the alleged shooter had been guests at the same party prior to the shooting. One of the victims was trying to calm down the shooter outside in the 300 block of York Street when two other guests left the party and happened to be walking past. Shots were fired, hitting the three men.

Thomas resides in the 400 block of Savage Drive in Newport News. He faces maiming charges in addition to the homicide charge.

If anyone has information on the location of Tyshaun Lenard Thomas contact Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or the Williamsburg Police Department at 757-220-2331.