Tamarac Man Arrested After Allegedly Shooting at Son During Money Dispute

Rodencia Thomas Jr., 52, of Tamarac faces charges of attempted felony murder and domestic battery by strangulation following a violent confrontation with his son this week, according to Broward Sheriff’s Office investigators. The incident occurred at the son’s residence on Wednesday after Thomas arrived demanding repayment of $240 he had given to bail his son out of jail the previous week.

The son told deputies he could pay only $120 immediately and offered to settle the remaining balance by month’s end, which sparked a heated argument between the two men. The dispute escalated into a physical altercation at the home’s doorway, with Thomas allegedly poking his son in the eye before being struck in the face during the struggle.

During the fight, the two men fell inside the residence where Thomas allegedly used his forearm to choke his son, according to the arrest report. A woman at the scene—Thomas’s girlfriend—said she intervened to separate the combatants after hearing the commotion and witnessing the confrontation.

After the initial physical fight, Thomas allegedly walked to his girlfriend’s black pickup truck, retrieved a handgun from the center console, and returned to the home. Investigators stated that Thomas raised the weapon, aimed it at his son, and fired one round that missed its target.

The shot struck the exterior wall near the doorway where the victim had been standing, leaving what appeared to be a bullet hole in the lower right section of the wall. Deputies also documented interior damage consistent with the physical struggle, including a hole in an interior wall near the floor.

Thomas’s girlfriend provided corroborating testimony to deputies, stating she witnessed him retrieve the gun from her vehicle and fire at his son. She told investigators she had attempted to de-escalate the situation by repeatedly urging Thomas not to do anything “stupid” as he approached the truck.

The victim sustained visible injuries including scratches around his throat and neck as well as a large scratch on his back. Although the son indicated he believed Thomas intended to kill him, he declined to pursue criminal charges against his father.

Investigators determined there was probable cause to arrest Thomas for attempted felony murder, noting that he had opportunity to leave after the initial physical confrontation but deliberately returned with a firearm. Records checks also revealed three active child support warrants against Thomas.

As of Saturday morning, Thomas was being held without bond at the Broward County Main Jail on charges of domestic battery by strangulation, attempted felony murder, and three writs of arrest.