SWAT Team Medic Charged with Aggravated Assault After Whataburger Parking Lot Shooting in Thomasville

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has apprehended and pressed charges against Lucas Williams, a 38-year-old resident of Thomasville, GA. Williams faces two counts of aggravated assault stemming from a shooting incident that occurred in the Whataburger parking lot in Thomasville, Georgia, at approximately 4:25 a.m. on Thursday, February 29, 2024.

The Thomas County Sheriff’s Office enlisted the GBI’s assistance in investigating the matter due to Williams’ affiliation with the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team in a medical capacity. Williams, although not a certified peace officer, served as a SWAT medic, providing support to the team. Notably, he was not engaged in any SWAT operations at the time of the altercation.

According to the investigation, Williams was waiting at Whataburger for another individual when a dispute ensued with a man in another vehicle in the drive-thru line. Williams reportedly exited his vehicle armed with a pistol and advanced towards the driver of the other car, who was waiting at the drive-thru window. In response, the man exited his vehicle with a rifle and retreated to the rear of the parking lot, eventually seeking refuge in a neighboring business and crossing Highway 19. During this sequence, Williams allegedly discharged his firearm multiple times at the man as he traversed the highway. Despite the exchange, the man did not fire back at Williams. Fortunately, no individuals sustained injuries from the gunfire. However, one of the rounds from Williams’ pistol struck a gas pump at the nearby Raceway gas station, located across Highway 19 from Whataburger.

Following his arrest, Williams was confined to the Thomas County Jail pending further legal proceedings. The case file will subsequently be handed over to the District Attorney’s Office in Thomasville for prosecution.

This case is active and ongoing. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the GBI regional investigative office in Thomasville at 229-225-4090. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.