Convicted felon who jumped bail in Florida and fatally shot St. Louis police officer sentenced to life

ST. LOUIS (TCN) -- A 47-year-old man will spend the rest of his life behind bars for fatally shooting a police officer, critically injuring another, and wounding a homeless man.

The St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office announced June 27 that a judge sentenced Thomas Kinworthy to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the August 2020 murder of St. Louis Metropolitan Police Officer Tamarris Bohannon. A jury convicted him in May of murder, armed criminal action, and assault for shooting and severely injuring St. Louis Metropolitan Police Officer Arlando Bailey and Mark Smith, a homeless man who was rummaging through dumpsters in the area. Smith reportedly died in 2023 from an unrelated cause.

According to prosecutors, Kinworthy came to St. Louis on Aug. 24, 2020, after he had jumped bail in Florida. Several days later, the convicted felon reportedly shot Smith, who sought help at a nearby residence and had the homeowners call law enforcement. The district attorney's office said Kinworthy walked into the home, and the owners safely exited through the back. Kinworthy reportedly barricaded himself inside a bathroom armed with a gun.

When officers responded to the scene, Kinworthy reportedly fired a single shot through the bathroom and hit Bohannon in the head. Officers transported Bohannon to a hospital, and he died the following day.

Kinworthy also reportedly shot Bailey, striking him in the leg when he tried to protect himself behind a vehicle.

A police standoff ensued for approximately 12 hours as negotiators tried to convince Kinworthy to surrender. According to prosecutors, the SWAT team used a chemical irritant before they eventually forced entry and took Kinworthy into custody.

Police announced Kinworthy's arrest in September 2020 on initial charges of first-degree murder, first-degree assault, first-degree burglary, unlawful possession of a firearm, and armed criminal action.

Bohannon's family members, including his parents, sister, wife, and their children, made impact statements at the sentencing hearing, describing their grief after the victim's death.

The circuit attorney's office said Kinworthy didn't take responsibility for the incident, and he never apologized to Bohannon's family. He reportedly "lashed out verbally at prosecutors."

According to The Associated Press, Kinworthy’s attorney argued the defendant experienced a psychotic episode on the day of the shooting.

In a statement, Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore said, "Years of meticulous work by our prosecution team achieved long-delayed justice for the families of Officers Bohannon and Bailey."

According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Bohannon worked for the department for over 3.5 years. Officers said, "He will be deeply missed."

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