After attending his sister’s funeral, Earl Simmons was fatally shot in Columbus, Ohio. The father of five was attempting to break up a physical altercation, according to police, and lost his life on his birthday 54th birthday.
Last Friday, Simmons and his family met at a church for his sister’s funeral. Because it was Simmons’ birthday, he was expecting family to visit him at his home after the service was over, according to WSYX. He allegedly witnessed a fight and attempted to stop it from going any further. Simmons could not have known that he would his life in the process.
Family asking for help and closure after Earl Simmons was shot to death in northeast #Columbus Simmons had attended his sister’s funeral and returned home.Police say he was trying to break up a fight when he was hit by a bullet. It was Simmons’ 54th birthday. #stopgunviolence pic.twitter.com/5f3hhjgPOt
— Lu Ann Stoia (@stoiawsyx6) March 28, 2021
Multiple weapons were drawn and fired, police say, with one bullet hitting Simmons. After police and ambulance were called, he was transported to a local hospital where he died from his gunshot wounds, CBS 10TV reports. Around 40 shell casings were discovered at the crime scene investigation.
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Columbus is still trying to gain control of its gun violence issue after last year’s reports. Despite most of the world quarantining and locking down to prevent the spread of COVID last year, Columbus recorded a record-breaking 175 homicides in 2020, leaving families desperate for answers. Simmons’ killing marks the city’s 45th homicide of the year, so far.
Ohio @MomsDemand volunteers stand in solidarity with Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children. We will continue working together to end city gun violence. #MomsAreEverywhere pic.twitter.com/Xaggh0bu8V
— Shela Blanchard (@Driven4Justice) March 14, 2021
“They need to get a handle on these guns,” Simmons’ mother, Betty Simmons Williams told WSYX. “Try to get some of the guns off the street. Too many people’s dying from guns.”
His sister, Jacqueline Burley, simply wants to know why this happened to her brother and who could be behind the deadly shooting. Leaving behind five children, Simmons is described by his cousin Ted Crome as being “about peace” and friendly with kids.
Though witnesses were present at the scene, police currently don’t have any suspects in connection with Simmons’ tragic death.
