Danville robbery suspect still in hospital following shootout with Ohio officers

DANVILLE, Va. — 33-year-old Aaron Thomas is still in critical condition after authorities returned fire and shot him. The U.S. Marshal he shot trying to escape- is back at home, according to police.

Officials say Aaron Thomas has a criminal past.

Back in 2017, Aaron Thomas shot and killed a 15-year-old at an apartment in Danville. Thomas was convicted of voluntary manslaughter — but only served 2 years in jail. The rest of the time was suspended. The defense argued Thomas shot the teen in self-defense.

Now, police say he’s facing charges for shooting someone else this week, the U-S Marshal in Canton, Ohio.

Danville police wanted Thomas for allegedly robbing and assaulting a man at the Travel Inn last week. Police say he fled to Ohio and was staying with family there. Authorities served a warrant Wednesday night to the home he was staying in. That’s when they got into the shootout.

ABC 5 in Ohio reports that authorities say Thomas has said that he wants to die by suicide by police. The US Marshals plan to pursue federal charges against Thomas.

There’s no word on when he will be brought back to Virginia to face the robbery and assault charges here in Danville.

Danville Police are still searching for a second suspect in the Travel Inn robbery, 28-year-old Antonio Stanfield. Call police if you know where he is.