Thomas James Brown, a 21-year-old from Silver Springs Shores, Florida, was shot and killed late the night of July 9, 2014, in the parking lot of the Walmart at 34 Bahia Avenue. The shooting occurred around 11:15 p.m.; Brown was pronounced dead at the scene after a verbal dispute with another man escalated into a physical fight and gunfire.

Witnesses identified the other man as 20-year-old Colt Thriemer and said the two knew each other and had prior disputes over money Thriemer had borrowed from Brown. According to those accounts, Brown stopped at the Walmart, approached Thriemer, struck him in the face, and Thriemer then retrieved a gun from his truck and shot Brown. Thriemer fled but was later located by deputies near Ocklawaha and detained for questioning.

Detectives were interviewing witnesses and processing evidence, including Thriemer’s pickup and the weapon believed to have been used, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said the case would be reviewed by the State Attorney once the investigation was complete. A candlelight vigil the next night drew about 100 people who described Brown as caring and supportive of his family.

If anyone witnessed the July 9 confrontation at the Walmart or has information about the events that led to Brown’s death, please come forward with tips.