A mother and her two young sons are murdered in their home In the quiet early morning hours of March 10, 2017, a horrific scene unfolded inside a brick home in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans. Ten-year-old Justin Simms, Jr. was found shot to death in his bedroom, the victim of a brutal attack that also claimed the lives of his mother and younger brother. The tranquility of the neighborhood at the corner of Touro and Mandolin streets was shattered at approximately 4:18 a.m.
when a 911 call for help was placed by Justin's courageous 12-year-old sister, A'miya Smith.
First responders arrived at the home to a devastating discovery. Justin, along with his mother, 30-year-old Monique Smith, and his 6-year-old brother, Jumyrin Smith, had all suffered multiple gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene. The victims were apparently sleeping when the intruder entered their home. A'miya, despite being shot in the face, survived the attack and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition for emergency surgery. She reportedly witnessed the brutal killing of her younger brother.
In the years following the tragic event, the case has remained unsolved, leaving a grieving family and community searching for answers. The New Orleans Police Department has released few details about a potential motive for the massacre. Nearly three years after the killings, investigators released a sketch of a person of interest who they believe may have been familiar with the family and their home, but no arrests have been made. The children's father, Justin Simms, Sr., who was separated from Monique and living out of state at the time, has publicly expressed his profound grief and frustration over the lack of progress in the investigation. A reward of $10,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case has been offered by Crimestoppers.
