Willie Earl Simmons

Deadly force

At 12:30 am, police received a call that Willie Earl Simmons was allegedly holding Kendra Jones at gunpoint in his apartment on Winrock Boulevard. When officers arrived, they heard screaming. Officers covered the front and back doors and then broke down the front door. Simmons fired at officers through the open door. Police took cover, getting into a shootout with Simmons. Simmons shot Jones five times in the arm. Simmons attempted to flee out the back door and got in another exchange of gunfire with police. Simmons dropped his handgun as he retreated back into the apartment. He picked up a large knife and advanced upon officers, who shot and killed him.