On February 8, 2023, my life changed forever when my son, Jabarie DeWayne Thomas, was taken from me due to gun violence.

No parent should ever have to bury their child. But what made this pain even harder was the feeling that justice was not fully served.

I am advocating for the Jabarie Thomas Crime Accountability Act in Alabama to help ensure stronger accountability for violent crimes involving firearms—especially for repeat offenders.

Right now, there are gaps in the system. Violent offenders, including juveniles, can have records that are later expunged, making it harder to identify patterns of dangerous behavior in future cases.

This bill will:

Prevent expungement of violent firearm offenses
Allow prior offenses to be considered in future cases
Strengthen penalties for repeat violent offenders
Ensure victims’ families have a voice
This is not about revenge.
This is about protection, accountability, and saving lives.

If this bill can prevent even one family from experiencing this kind of pain, then it is worth it.

I may not have received the justice I hoped for—but I am fighting so that another parent won’t have to stand where I stand.

Please sign and share. Your voice can help bring change.

—Priscilla Young-Thomas
Mother of Jabarie DeWayne Thomas