A 35-year-old Selma man convicted last year for a 2012 fatal nightclub shooting has been sentenced to 25 years behind bars.

Caleb Shaw was convicted of murder and first-degree assault on Nov. 2, 2017, by a Dallas County jury in the death of 72-year-old Willie Thomas.

According to Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson, Shaw was sentenced Wednesday in Circuit Judge Marvin Wiggins’ courtroom.

The shooting happened on April 1, 2012, between 11-11:30 p.m. outside of Sqwavee’s Place, a nightclub on Shelly Avenue.

According to court documents, Thomas went to the club with his friend, Moses Harris Jr. The shooting took place when Thomas decided to leave the club.

Thomas, who died several months after the shooting, told investigators he decided to leave because he had to work the next day.

As Thomas stepped outside of Sqwavee’s Place, Harris was hit in the mouth by someone. Thomas said Harris told him he was jumped by someone and said they should leave.

As Thomas was headed toward his vehicle, he looked back and saw Shaw holding a pistol in his hand. Thomas told officers when he continued toward his vehicle, Harris ran past him, and shots were fired by Shaw.

Thomas was struck by one of the bullets, but he was not immediately killed. According to a previous Times-Journal report, Thomas was paralyzed by the gunshot wound.

Former Selma Police Chief William T. Riley said Thomas was shot in the neck and suffered damage to his vertebrae. Thomas died a few months later on Nov. 6, 2012.

Shaw was arrested a couple months after the shooting on July 13, 2012.