In the early morning hours of April 4, 2015, a violent encounter in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood left 27-year-old Darryl Simms, a Black male, dead from multiple gunshot wounds. The incident unfolded around 6:15 a.m. on the 5200 block of Jamieson Avenue, shattering the calm of the typically quiet area.
According to police, Simms and three other men were attempting to enter an apartment complex when they were confronted by a resident, Anthony Altick.
An altercation ensued, escalating tragically when Altick allegedly opened fire. Simms was struck in the chest, back, and side. He was rushed to a hospital where he underwent surgery but ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Two other men were also wounded in the shooting but survived.
The investigation into the shooting revealed that the confrontation was not a random act of violence, as the suspect and at least one of the victims knew each other. Neighbors reported hearing approximately four gunshots and seeing one of the victims in the alley behind the duplex. One witness recounted hearing a man tell police he believed the individuals who were shot intended to steal his guns.
In the wake of the shooting, authorities arrested and charged 27-year-old Anthony Altick in connection with the incident. He faced charges of first-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action, and two counts of assault. Altick was subsequently held on a $750,000 cash-only bond.
