Man charged in fatal shooting of friend during botched robbery

A 20-year-old man has been charged in connection with the death of his friend and shooting two other men during a botched robbery in the Fox Meadows area last Wednesday, according to arrest records.

Robert L. Thomas has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery and employing a firearm with intent to commit a felony.

The shooting happened May 24 in the 5800 block of Foxdale, police said.

According to an arrest affidavit, Thomas told investigators in a statement that he and three friends went to the home on Foxdale to rob the people they planned on selling a gun to.

Thomas said once at the home one of his friends went up to the victim, pulled a gun and told the man, "drop it off, you know what this is."

Thomas told police the victim pulled out a gun and started firing. Thomas said he returned fire and fired about 12 rounds, according to the affidavit.

When the shooting ceased, Thomas' friend, Theodis Pitchford, was found dead in the middle of the street.

The robbery victim was shot three times. Another one of Thomas' friends was also shot during the incident, police said.

Thomas was identified as a suspect in the shooting and gave a statement to police where he admitted to the attempted robbery and firing shots. He remains in the Shelby County Jail on a $350,000 bond.