Demario Simms, a 27-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on August 2, 2015, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was born on November 19, 1987, in Wayne County to Wilbert and Shelia Eatmon Simms. Demario was a resident of 813 Franklin St. in Goldsboro, North Carolina, and was survived by four children. His death was a significant loss to his family and community.
On the day of his death, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police responded to a call for an assault with a deadly weapon
in the 500 block of Blendwood Drive in East Charlotte. Upon arrival, they found Demario Simms inside a home, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Medic.
The investigation revealed that Demario Simms and the suspect, Austin Demar Burnett, knew each other. Burnett, a 25-year-old male, was charged with the murder of Demario Simms and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The authorities did not release a motive for the shooting, but they confirmed that it was not a random act of violence.
Austin Demar Burnett was arrested and held at the Mecklenburg County jail. The case remains an ongoing and active investigation, with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
