Tremayne Maltbia, a 17-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on October 22, 2021, in the Gresham neighborhood of Chicago, IL. The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. while Tremayne was walking in the 7800 block of South Wood Street. A blue minivan approached, and an individual exited the vehicle, firing multiple shots at Tremayne.
He was struck several times and was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead.
The investigation into Tremayne Maltbia's death led to the arrest of Danny Simmons, a 28-year-old man from Chicago. Simmons was apprehended at O'Hare International Airport on December 17, 2021, and charged with first-degree murder. According to authorities, Simmons was identified as the driver of the blue minivan involved in the shooting. Witnesses reported seeing Simmons in the neighborhood multiple times, and surveillance footage captured the van's license plate, which was registered to Simmons' father. The arrest warrant for Simmons was issued on November 2, 2021, and he was taken into custody in Tennessee before being extradited back to Illinois.
During a bail hearing, prosecutors detailed the events leading up to the shooting. On the morning of October 22, Simmons allegedly stopped his blue Honda minivan near Tremayne and a high school friend, who were walking after stopping for snacks at a convenience store. Simmons then pulled a 9mm handgun from his hoodie and fired multiple shots at Tremayne, striking him in the head, face, and body. Investigators recovered ten shell casings from the scene. Tremayne's friend, who witnessed the shooting, ran back to the convenience store and waited for police to arrive. The friend later identified Simmons in a photo array.
Simmons' defense attorney noted that he suffers from mental illness and lives with his grandparents and other family members. Despite these claims, bail was denied, and Simmons remains in custody awaiting trial. The case has drawn significant attention due to the senseless nature of the crime and the young age of the victim. Tremayne Maltbia's death is a stark reminder of the ongoing issue of gun violence in Chicago and the devastating impact it has on families and communities.
