Gary man gets 40 years in woman’s gas station killing

A Gary man was sentenced to 40 years Wednesday in connection with a woman’s shooting death outside a gas station.

Terry L. Thomas, 22, signed a plea agreement filed Jan. 3.

He was sentenced to 30 years for voluntary manslaughter and another 10 on a firearms enhancement, according to the deal.

Surveillance video on June 14, 2022, showed two men who tried to cut in line and argued with a woman inside a Clark gas station in the 2700 block of West 5th Avenue in Gary.

Once she walked outside, the men physically attacked her before Thomas shot her, charges allege.

Ivana Jenkins, 31, of Gary, was taken to Methodist Hospitals where she was pronounced dead from one gunshot wound to the chest, court records show.

Another detective identified Thomas and co-defendant Daniel Malone from prior “contacts”, i.e. run-ins with the law. Malone’s next hearing is April 20.

As Jenkins left the gas station, Malone, wearing a blue T-shirt, walked up and slapped her. She fought back as he slapped her a second time, charges state.

The fight continued as she hit the man, knocking him off balance. Thomas, wearing a red baseball jersey ran at her, then pistolwhipped her head as she tried to fight back, documents state.

He raised his right hand, then she appeared to fall down, according to the video. People at the gas station appeared to run at the gunshot, charges allege.

Thomas was “accepting responsibility for a very serious crime,” his lawyer, Joshua Malher, said in court Wednesday.

The sentence was about twice as long as Thomas has been alive, the lawyer noted.

However, during his time to address the court, Thomas apologized, but appeared to call the shooting an accident, saying he was provoked. “She was aggressive,” he said. “We saw the video!” one of Jenkins’ relatives shouted. At least two women sitting with her family momentarily stepped outside the courtroom.

“I didn’t start this,” Thomas continued. The gun’s magazine “accidentally fell out” and went off, he claimed.

After speaking with his lawyer, Thomas’ tone appeared to change.

“I take full responsibility,” he said. “It was wrong.”

“There is a precious life gone,” Thomas said, noting he had three kids and siblings. “I know that. I’m truly sorry.”

Lake Superior Judge Gina Jones asked Thomas if he stood by his plea that said the shooting was on purpose.

If he contended it was “accidental”, the deal would be squashed, according to legal rules.

The shooting was “knowing and intentional,” Thomas said.

Jones said her words could not make things easier for the Jenkins’ family, but knew they would find peace one day.

She also empathized with Thomas’ family.

“He caused you pain as well,” she said. “His actions belong to him. He had to deal with those consequences.”

After the hearing, a family member of Jenkins said they were glad they got justice.