Information from tips and a thorough investigation led to the arrest of James Arthur Thomas in connection to the Christmas Eve murder of Reuben Stitten.

Thomas, who was already being held on charges of firing into an occupied vehicle, was charged Tuesday in connection with the murder and is being held without bond.

The murder, Selma Police Department Sgt. Tori Neeley said, occurred at 12:45 a.m. on Christmas Eve morning near Craig Field in the 100 block of Hope Street.

“We had a report of a gunshot wound to Stitten, who was a Hope Street resident,” he said. “He died as a result of a gunshot wound to the torso.”

Thomas, 19, lived on an adjacent street in the same subdivision on the 200 block of Unity Lane.

According to witnesses, the shooting stemmed from an altercation earlier in the night, Neely said.

“From what we understand there was an altercation between James and another subject that we don’t want to name,” he said. “Reuben stepped into the middle of the altercation to stop it.”

Neely said Stitten and his friend left the area. Later that night, Neely said the two parties — Stitten and Thomas — exchanged words and the fatal shots were fired.

The make and caliber of the weapon are still being determined.

“It’s early in the investigation,” he said. “Even though an arrest has been made, we are still trying to piece things together to make sure all parties are investigated.”

Witnesses to the night’s events played a key role in connecting James to the shooting, Neely said.

“We tracked him down by conducting interviews with people in the area who said there had been a fist fight or altercation,” he said. “They said James was one of the main activists involved in the altercation. That’s what started our investigation.”

James had been taken into custody Sunday on charges of firing into an occupied vehicle, Neely said.

He was interviewed in connection with the murder, but not immediately charged.

As more information on the case became available, the department was able to build a case.