Coral Springs Police Department Arrest Man Responsible For Shooting Of 8 Year Old Girl

by News Desk | Feb 7, 2022 · 1:06 pm | Coral Springs News

Andrew James Thomas, Photo credit: Florida Department Of Corrections

Last Updated: Mar 28, 2026 · 4:44 pm

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Coral Springs Police Department Arrest Man Responsible For Shooting Of 8 Year Old Girl – Coral Springs Arrest ReportCoral Springs Police Department Arrest Man Responsible For Shooting Of 8 Year Old Girl

Andrew Thomas Arrested By Coral Springs SWAT For Belle Glade Murder Of 8 Year Old Girl. Asks Island Boys TikTok Star To Hide Glock.

 Andrew James Thomas, Photo Credit: Broward Sheriffs Office

Andrew James Thomas, Photo Credit: Broward Sheriffs Office

Update – 2/10/22

A review of the probable cause affidavit submitted by Coral Springs Police Department shows that Coral Springs Police Department SWAT Team was tasked with locating and arresting Thomas as he was known to be hiding at an associates house. The house he was hiding in was rented by Alex Venegas, a popular TikTok personality known as one of the Island Boys.

When SWAT knocked at the door, Thomas asked Venegas to hide a Glock handgun for him. Vengas refused to hide the gun and told Thomas to get away from him.

SWAT team entered the home and took Thomas in to custody. SWAT found the gun hidden in the laundry room closet during a search of the house. Andrew Thomas later told police that the gun wasn’t his.

Andrew Thomas was arrested for possession of a for Violation of Probation as well as Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Andrew Thomas is still in custody of the BSO jail for the new charges while also awaiting 1st degree homicide charges to be filed by PBSO.

The probable cause affidavit from his arrest and capture can be read here:

Original Story

CORAL SPRINGS, FL (Boca Post) — Andrew James Thomas, 20, has been arrested by Coral Springs Police Department on other charges and is being held for PBSO it is believed he his responsible for killing an 8 year old girl in Belle Glade on Friday night.

Thomas is expected to be charged with 1st degree murder with a firearm, attempted 1st degree murder with a firearm, and felon in possession of a firearm.

Thomas is believed to have been the shooter responsible for the tragic death of an 8 year old girl in Belle Glade Friday knight.

Andrew James Thomas Mugshot

Andrew James Thomas, Photo Credit: Florida Department Of Corrections

According to FDOC records, Thomas was on probation since June of 2020 for a violent felony he committed in 2019. Thomas’ permanent address is in Belle Glade. It is unclear at this time what his connection to Coral Springs is.

From PBSO:

UPDATE *  PBSO MAKES ARREST IN HORRIFIC DRIVE BY SHOOTING OF 8 YEAR OLD FEMALE

 

Today, February 7, 2022, Andrew James Thomas, DOB: 3/01/2001, was arrested for 1st Degree Murder with a Firearm, Attempted 1st Degree Murder with a Firearm and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

 

This investigation has been tirelessly investigated by PBSO Violent Crimes Division detectives and Gang Unit detectives for the last three days. With the assistance of cooperating witnesses a suspect was identified.  After further investigation detectives located the suspect in the City of Coral Springs.  With the assistance of Coral Springs Police Department a search warrant was executed early this morning. Coral Springs PD currently had charges on the suspect and affected an arrest.  PBSO was able to locate significant evidence to get an arrest warrant singed by Judge Renatha Francis, 15th Judicial Circuit,  today for the above charges.

 

The suspect will be booked into the Broward County Jail on Coral Springs PD charges with a HOLD for Palm Beach County.

 

PBSO’s investigation is still in the preliminary stages.  More information will be released when it becomes available.

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