In the early morning hours of August 13, 2014, a violent encounter in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn set in motion a chain of events that would ultimately claim the life of 26-year-old Prinso Ulysse. Ulysse was standing outside on Cortelyou Road when a man stepped into the street and fired multiple shots in his direction. One of the bullets struck Ulysse in the side of his head, causing devastating internal injuries.
He was rushed to Kings County Hospital, where he fought for his life for several weeks before succumbing to his wounds on September 3, 2014.
The brazen daylight shooting was captured with clarity by a high-definition surveillance camera, which provided investigators with a clear image of the shooter. The footage showed the gunman walking away from the scene after firing at Ulysse. Authorities identified the shooter as 24-year-old Avon Simmons of Flatbush. The investigation revealed that Simmons was a member of the G-Stone Crips gang. The likely motive for the shooting was believed to be retaliation for a prior incident in which Simmons's brother had been shot.
Avon Simmons was arrested and charged in connection with the death of Prinso Ulysse. Faced with the strong evidence against him, including the clear surveillance video, Simmons pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on February 9, 2016. On March 10, 2016, a Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice sentenced Simmons to 20 years to life in prison for the fatal shooting.
