Regis Deon Thomas

American Murderer on Death Row

Regis Deon Thomas, born on June 16, 1970, is a notorious American serial killer whose violent actions have shocked the nation. A member of the Bloods gang, specifically the Bounty Hunter Bloods subset based in Watts, Los Angeles, Thomas was sentenced to death for the brutal 1993 murders of two police officers, Kevin Michael Burrell and James Wayne MacDonald, during a routine traffic stop in Compton. This tragic incident marked a dark chapter in the history of the Compton Police Department, as Burrell and MacDonald became the only police officers killed in the line of duty over the department's 65-year existence. Thomas's criminal history also includes the murder of another man in 1992.

Quick Facts

• Born: June 16, 1970 (age 55)
• Location: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Convictions:
  • First-degree murder with special circumstances (2 counts)
  • Second-degree murder
  • Perjury
  • Being a felon in possession of a firearm
  • Possession of a concealed firearm in a vehicle
• Criminal Penalty: Death
• Victims: 3
• Span of Crimes: 1992–1993
• Country: United States
• State: California
• Date Apprehended: April 6, 1993
• Imprisoned At: San Quentin State Prison

Background

Regis Deon Thomas was born as the eldest of four children in South-Central Los Angeles, a community grappling with crime and gang influence. As a young man, he fell into the world of gangs and became affiliated with the Bounty Hunter Bloods, a notorious subset of the Bloods gang. His criminal record began in earnest when he was convicted of perjury in 1990. At one point, Thomas worked as a security guard at a liquor store, but his life took a drastic turn when the store was burned down during the 1992 Los Angeles riots, leaving him unemployed for a year.

The Murders

The story takes a chilling turn on January 31, 1992, when Thomas committed his first known murder. He shot and killed Carlos Adkins in an apartment in Torrance, California, a brutal act that would foreshadow the violence to come.

Fast forward to February 22, 1993, at approximately 11 p.m., when the lives of two young police officers would be tragically cut short. Officers Kevin Michael Burrell, just 29 years old, and Reserve Officer James Wayne MacDonald, only 24, initiated a routine traffic stop at the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue and Dwight Avenue in Compton. The vehicle in question? A red 1992 Chevrolet 454 pickup truck driven by none other than Regis Deon Thomas.

As Burrell and MacDonald approached Thomas's truck, he stepped out and unleashed a torrent of gunfire, targeting the officers execution-style. Despite both officers wearing bulletproof vests, they fell to the ground, struck by multiple bullets. This horrific scene unfolded quickly: Burrell was shot multiple times in the arm, face, left foot, and head, while MacDonald endured shots to his left armpit, back, and ultimately a fatal wound to the chest.

In total, nine spent nine-millimeter shell casings were recovered from the scene, a grim testament to the violence that erupted that night. After the brutal attack, Thomas fled the scene in his truck, leaving the two officers lying face down near their patrol car, guns still holstered.

The Aftermath and Investigation

Initially, detectives, operating under the assumption that there were multiple assailants, faced a challenging investigation. Neither officer had reported the traffic stop to dispatch, complicating the situation further. In an ironic twist, Burrell, a five-year veteran of the force, and MacDonald—who was working his last shift as a reserve officer—became the second and third officers killed in duty for the Compton Police Department.

In the wake of the shootings, a massive manhunt ensued, leading to the arrest of several individuals in unrelated cases. This effort ultimately resulted in solving three murders and two attempted killings, showcasing the far-reaching impact of the tragedy. Detectives Timothy M. Brennan and Robert Ladd were instrumental in forming a task force that connected the dots back to Thomas.

In a dramatic turn of events, Thomas was apprehended on April 6, 1993, when he surrendered to KTLA television reporter Warren Wilson. The trial that followed was intense, with Thomas ultimately found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder. On August 15, 1995, he was sentenced to death, and he now awaits execution on death row at San Quentin State Prison, where his CDCR number is J76200.

Sources

• Adams, Emily. "Jury Urges Death Penalty for Killer of 2 Compton Officers." Los Angeles Times, June 17, 1995. Archived from the original on August 22, 2021.
• "Hundreds Mourn Compton Officer: Tribute: Friends remember James Wayne MacDonald as a compassionate person who had long wanted to be a policeman." Los Angeles Times, February 28, 1993. Archived from the original on August 22, 2021.
• "LOS ANGELES: Witness Jailed for Refusing to Testify in Murder Case." Los Angeles Times, April 14, 1995. Archived from the original on August 22, 2021.
• "COMPTON: Suspect Pleads Not Guilty in Killing of 2 Officers." Los Angeles Times, April 16, 1993. Archived from the original on August 22, 2021.
• "LOS ANGELES: Man Charged in Killings of 2 Officers, 1 Other." Los Angeles Times, April 8, 1993. Archived from the original on August 22, 2021.
• "Officer Kevin Michael Burrell." ODMP.
• "Officer James Wayne MacDonald." ODMP.
• "PEOPLE v. THOMAS." FindLaw, February 23, 2012.
• "Police Officer Dess K. Phipps." The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved October 14, 2021.
• Adams, Emily. "Man Found Guilty in Killings of 2 Officers: Crime: He may face death penalty in 1993 Compton shootings. The case hinged on the testimony of a witness who said he heard the defendant brag about the murders." Los Angeles Times, May 18, 1995. Archived from the original on August 22, 2021.
• Wilgoren, Jodi. "Killer of 2 Compton Police Officers Sentenced to Death." Los Angeles Times, August 16, 1995. Archived from the original on August 22, 2021.
• "CDCR inmate locator."