A former University of Memphis football player was shot and killed by police in Sandy Springs, Georgia, on Dec. 4, 2025, following what authorities describe as a confrontation that escalated when he pulled a handgun from his waistband. La’Andre Thomas, 27, died at a local hospital after the shooting, which has sparked an independent investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The incident began at approximately 10:30 a.m. when a woman called 911 to report she had been assaulted by a man while walking her dog in the Dunwoody Place area. Officers from the Sandy Springs Police Department responded to the call, obtaining a description of the suspect and reviewing surveillance footage from cameras in the area to identify him.
Police located Thomas at a MARTA bus stop near the 8,000 block of Dunwoody Place. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Thomas approached the officers and began speaking with them before the situation turned deadly. “During the conversation, Thomas pulled a handgun from his waistband,” the GBI stated in their press release. One officer then shot Thomas, injuring him.
Emergency medical personnel transported Thomas to a nearby hospital where he was initially listed in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital that same day. No officers were injured during the incident. Thomas’ body was sent to the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy, a standard procedure in officer-involved shootings.
The GBI is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting, separate from any internal review by the Sandy Springs Police Department. Once the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office for review. This process allows prosecutors to determine whether the use of force was justified under Georgia law and whether any charges should be filed.
Thomas, a native of Jackson, Mississippi, was a standout athlete who played defensive back for the University of Memphis Tigers from 2017 to 2019. During his college career, he appeared in 30 games and recorded 80 total tackles and two interceptions. His time on the field demonstrated his versatility and skill in the defensive secondary.
Before his college career, Thomas attended Wingfield High School in Mississippi, where he established himself as one of the top high school players in the state. ESPN ranked him among the top 40 players in Mississippi, and his performance attracted multiple college offers before he committed to Memphis in 2017 as a defensive player.
Thomas’ college football career was significantly impacted by an injury he sustained in 2018. Despite the setback, he remained a valued member of the Tigers program during his three seasons with the team.
In the wake of his death, a GoFundMe campaign was established to support Thomas’ young daughter, Laila, and his family. The fundraiser describes Thomas as a father, son, brother and friend who was deeply loved by those who knew him. The campaign organizers acknowledge that the details surrounding his death remain unclear to the family.
The fundraiser states that the family is seeking justice and accountability for Thomas’ death. “No family should ever have to experience this,” the campaign description reads. “Losing a loved one is violent, but losing them in a violent, unexplained encounter with police leaves a wound that feels impossible to heal.” The family has indicated they are hiring lawyers to investigate the circumstances of the shooting.
Donations to the GoFundMe are intended to cover funeral and memorial expenses, legal costs associated with seeking transparency about the incident, and long-term support for Laila, including counseling and therapeutic services to help her process the loss of her father. The family has expressed their desire to obtain body camera footage, investigation findings and other evidence to understand what occurred during the encounter with police.
Friends and former teammates have shared condolences on social media, with several expressing shock at the news. The Memphis football community has mourned the loss of the former Tigers player.
Officer-involved shootings typically undergo multiple levels of review to ensure transparency and accountability. The independent investigation by the GBI is designed to provide an objective assessment of the incident, examining physical evidence, witness statements and any available video footage. The findings will ultimately inform whether the district attorney pursues criminal charges or determines the shooting was justified under state law.
