Strand shot Thomas in the head to prevent his reanimation after Thomas had been bitten on the arm by a walker during the apocalypse.
The Critical Circumstances Leading to the Shot
The decision to shoot Thomas was a direct and grim necessity born from the realities of the apocalypse. The sequence of events leading to Strand's action unfolded as follows:
- Thomas's Injury: At some point during the chaotic survival in the apocalypse, Thomas sustained a severe injury when he was bitten on the arm by a walker.
- Inevitable Transformation: In their world, a walker bite is a universally fatal wound that leads to an inevitable outcome: the bitten individual will eventually die and reanimate as a walker themselves.
- The Act: Strand carried out the shooting at night, while everyone else was asleep, highlighting the solemn and definitive nature of his decision.
Strand's Motivation: Preventing Reanimation
Strand's primary reason for shooting Thomas was to prevent reanimation. This was a difficult, yet crucial, act of mercy killing. By ending Thomas's life, Strand ensured that:
- Thomas would not endure the horrific transformation into a mindless, predatory walker.
- The group would be protected from the immediate danger Thomas would pose upon his reanimation within their living space.
This act, while tragic, was a pragmatic measure to handle the inevitable consequences of a walker bite and safeguard the remaining survivors.
