Lamont Simmons, a 27-year-old man from Arnold, Pennsylvania, tragically lost his life on April 5, 2019. Simmons was found lying face down in the street in the 1500 block of Fifth Avenue in Arnold, after an early morning shooting. He was taken to Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison, where he was pronounced dead at 5:11 a.m. The incident occurred following a dispute between Simmons and Shawden L. Ross, a 32-year-old man from Pittsburgh.
Shawden Ross was arrested and charged with homicide, illegal gun possession, and receiving stolen property. According to police reports, Ross used a .22-caliber revolver that was reported stolen. Surveillance footage showed Ross and Simmons having a dispute before Ross pulled out the gun and shot Simmons multiple times. Ross was later found with the weapon during a search of his residence.
In the subsequent legal proceedings, Ross was ordered to stand trial for the murder of Lamont Simmons. During the trial, witnesses testified that Ross and Simmons had been at a party together before the shooting. Ross claimed that Simmons had tried to set him up for a robbery, but Ross managed to escape. Despite Ross's defense, he was found guilty of third-degree murder in March 2022 and sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison.
The case highlighted the tragic consequences of disputes escalating into violence and the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully. Simmons' family and friends remembered him as an outgoing, kind, and caring individual who had much to offer. The loss of Lamont Simmons was deeply felt by those who knew him, and his memory continues to be honored by his loved ones.
