James Simpson Jr., a 21-year-old African American male from Springfield, Illinois, tragically lost his life on March 23, 2021. The incident occurred in the parking lot of The Crossing Too, a discount liquor and tobacco store located on Clear Lake Avenue. James Simpson Jr. was the driver of a vehicle that was shot at multiple times. The Sangamon County Coroner, Jim Allmon, confirmed that Simpson died from multiple gunshot wounds. The vehicle, after being shot at, proceeded into the nearby Bergen Park Golf Course, where it eventually stopped after striking a tree. A passenger in the vehicle, 20-year-old Courtlan A. Williams, also from Springfield, sustained a gunshot wound to his back but survived the incident.
The investigation into the murder of James Simpson Jr. revealed that the suspect had been dropped off near the liquor store, as captured by surveillance video. The vehicle used to drop off the suspect was located and held by detectives for further processing. Despite setting up a perimeter and deploying a K-9 unit, the suspect was not immediately apprehended. However, detectives developed several 'persons of interest' and continued to follow leads.
Nearly a year after the incident, Robert L. Hill, a 25-year-old African American male from Springfield, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of James Simpson Jr. Hill was apprehended as he was leaving Big Muddy Correctional Center in southern Illinois, where he had been serving time for a parole violation related to a 2017 aggravated discharge of a firearm case. Hill faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison if convicted. The State's Attorney, Dan Wright, emphasized the community's commitment to seeking justice for such senseless acts of gun violence.
The case against Robert L. Hill is ongoing, with additional charges potentially being filed before his preliminary hearing. The community remains vigilant, and law enforcement continues to work diligently to ensure that justice is served for James Simpson Jr. and his family.
