$20K reward offered for arrest of a man officials say shot Henry County deputy

MCDONOUGH, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A $20,000 reward has been offered by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and Crime Stoppers Atlanta for the arrest and indictment of the man who police say shot a detention officer in McDonough.

The shooting happened in an apartment complex in the 4100 block of Hopewell Place near Haddon Place Friday afternoon, according to officials.

Police say the officer was shot multiple times. He’s now listed in critical condition at the hospital.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office has identified Brenston Bernard Thomas, 32, as the shooting suspect. He was last seen traveling in a 2020 gray 4-door Toyota Camry, license plate CKD-8148.

According to police, investigators discovered the car Thomas was driving Saturday afternoon in Atlanta but they are still actively searching for him.

Many of the people who live in the apartment complex weren’t allowed back into their homes for hours as police investigated the scene. Chris Scales works from home. He went out to run a quick errand and came back to find his apartment cordoned off by police.

“Haddon Place is a great community. Very friendly, and clean. The only thing I’ve ever heard of over in this complex was one or two car break-ins, but other than that – this situation this – this hits the scale,” said Chris Scales, who lives nearby.

Police say Thomas has warrants out for his arrest in Clayton County and in Miami-Dade, Florida - both for assault charges. Thomas is described as a black man, 5′11″, 175 lbs., with brown eyes, and brown short hair. Police also say he has a beard and two very identifiable tattoos on his neck of the New Orleans Saints.

“Mr. Thomas I recommend you turn yourself in. We will not eat, sleep, or get any rest until we take you into custody. Turn yourself in,” said Henry County Sheriff Reginald Scandrett.

According to officials, $15,000 of the reward will come from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and $5,000 from Atlanta CrimeStoppers.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Thomas or any information pertinent to this investigation should call 911 or the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 770-288-7103.