The Boone County Juvenile Office has filed a motion to move a 17-year-old double shooting suspect to the Boone County Jail.
Ja’Mez Thompson-Bey was charged as an adult last month with two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, and first-degree robbery. According to court documents, Thompson-Bey shot and robbed two men at the Greens at Columbia Apartment complex in November.
Since his arrest in November 2024, Thompson-Bey has been held at the Juvenile Justice Center, where he was expected to remain until his 18th birthday on March 28, 2026, or until a conviction in his adult case.
But on May 2, Thompson-Bey escaped from the facility. According to court records, he climbed a recreation yard fence and fled on foot alongside another 16-year-old being held for murder. Thompson-Bey was caught in a heavily wooded area about two hours later; the other teen was apprehended within 35 minutes.
Officials say this wasn’t Thompson-Bey’s first escape. In October 2023, he fled from law enforcement while being transported to a hospital for a medical evaluation. Authorities note he has 10 referrals to the Juvenile Officer and that his actions pose a risk to staff and younger detainees.
The motion argues that an adult jail would be better suited to meet Thompson-Bey’s supervision and behavioral needs.
A hearing on the motion is scheduled for Monday.
