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Late on Monday, Oct. 16, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department were called to the 1400 block of C Street NE, where there were reports of shots fired that left two men down, including Cahli Thomas, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
A second victim was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Thomas was remembered by friends and family as a doting son and father who left behind his mother, Carla, and 7-year-old daughter, Nova.
"In addition to being a loving father and son, Cahli was a dedicated and valued member of the Department of Energy and Environment family," organizers of a fundraiser on behalf of his family said. "Both in his role at DOEE and in his personal life, he worked hard for his community.
"He supported DC High School students by hosting the annual EV Grand Prix competition, which saw high school students build and race their own electric vehicles."
Thomas was no stranger to the sports scene in DC, having played as the team captain at Gonzaga College High School, and later balling in college at Delaware State, where he averaged 1.2 points over 54 games played. His best season came as a junior, when he averaged more than 10 minutes per game, and a career-high 1.7 field goals attempted.
According to his LinkedIn account, Thomas has been with the DOEE for several years after his time at Delaware State.
"Cahli will be greatly missed by his loved ones and will be remembered fondly for his commitment to his family and his legacy of community involvement and leadership," loved ones added.
Thomas is scheduled to be laid to rest during a service on Friday, Oct. 27.
Those interested in donating to the family can do so here.
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