In the late morning of December 2, 2016, a tragic event unfolded on Amelia Avenue in Rock Hill, South Carolina, forever altering the lives of one family. Jerry Howard Sr., a 37-year-old man, was found lying in the street with multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to Piedmont Medical Center, but tragically, he did not survive his injuries. His wife, Lakisha Howard, expressed her profound grief, stating that her husband of 22 years had been shot and 'left him in the street like a dog.'
The shooting prompted a temporary lockdown at the nearby Richmond Drive Elementary School as a safety precaution.
The news of Jerry Howard Sr.'s death reverberated through the community, particularly as his son, Jerry Howard Jr., was a standout running back for Northwestern High School's football team with a commitment to play for Georgia Tech. The community rallied around the Howard family, offering support during an unimaginably difficult time. Despite the profound loss of his father just days before he was to sign his national letter of intent, Jerry Howard Jr. found the strength to persevere, a testament to the values his father instilled in him.
The investigation into the homicide led Rock Hill Police to a suspect. In late January 2017, Dwayne Fitzgerald Sims, then 52, was arrested and charged with the murder of Jerry Howard Sr. and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Investigators found 9-millimeter bullets at Sims' residence, and due to a prior criminal history that prohibited him from possessing firearms, he was initially arrested on a weapons charge. Though a motive for the shooting was not publicly released, the arrest brought a sense of relief to the grieving family.
In September 2018, as the case was set to go to trial, Dwayne Fitzgerald Sims Sr. accepted a plea deal. He pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and a weapons charge. While not admitting guilt, Sims entered an Alford plea, acknowledging the likelihood of a conviction at trial. He was subsequently sentenced to 15 years in prison. This plea brought a conclusion to the legal proceedings, though the profound loss of Jerry Howard Sr. continues to be felt by his family and community.
