28-year-old Mississippi man with criminal history pleads guilty to 2022 fatal shooting

A Mississippi man with an extensive criminal history faces 40 years in prison after pleading guilty in 2022 fatal shooting.

Michael “Traedo” Thomas, 28, has pleaded guilty to second-degree homicide for the fatal shooting of Johnny Ricardo Mason in 2022. The incident occurred on January 4, 2022, near Holiday Apartments in Natchez, where several bystanders, including children, were present.

Following the shooting, Thomas evaded authorities for 24 hours before surrendering to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. Mason, who was shot in the lower abdomen, managed to identify Thomas as the shooter before succumbing to his injuries at Merit Health Natchez.

Thomas has a criminal history, having previously served five years for aggravated assault starting in 2018, though he was released after three years. In June 2021, he was arrested again for allegedly kidnapping his girlfriend at gunpoint, but the charges were dropped when the victim decided not to pursue the case.

Sixth Circuit District Attorney Tim Cotton has recommended a 40-year sentence for Thomas. A pre-sentencing investigation has been ordered by Sixth Circuit Court Judge Debra Blackwell, with the sentencing set for June 27 in Adams County Circuit Court.