In the early morning hours of March 10, 2017, the quiet of a Gentilly neighborhood in New Orleans was shattered by gunfire that claimed the lives of 10-year-old Justin Simms Jr., his 6-year-old brother JuMyrin Smith, and their 30-year-old mother, Monique Smith. The family was attacked in their home on Touro Street, a place that had been their peaceful refuge.
Justin, his mother, and his younger brother were all found in their bedrooms, having been shot multiple times, apparently while they were sleeping.
The horrific event left one survivor, Justin's 12-year-old sister, A'miya Smith. Despite being critically injured with a gunshot wound to the face, she managed to call the police for help. Her survival provided a crucial witness to the brutal attack, though the trauma she endured was unimaginable. She reportedly witnessed the shooting of her younger brother and her mother. In the immediate aftermath, the New Orleans Police Department described the scene as 'horrific,' and the community was left in shock and mourning.
In the years that have followed, the case of the Simms-Smith family murders has remained unsolved, a lingering wound for their loved ones and the city. Despite the initial shock and media attention, no arrests have ever been made in connection with the triple homicide. The motive behind the killings remains a mystery to investigators. The children's father, Justin Simms Sr., who was separated from Monique and living in Mississippi at the time, has publicly expressed his anguish and frustration with the lack of progress in the investigation.
The New Orleans Police Department has continued to seek information from the public. In February 2020, nearly three years after the murders, authorities released a sketch of a person of interest they believe was familiar with the family and their home. A reward for information leading to an arrest has been offered, but justice for Justin, his mother, and his brother remains elusive. The case stands as a cold reminder of a devastating loss that left a family shattered and a community searching for answers.
