The morning of December 1, 2025, began as a routine shift at a Little Caesars restaurant in Tempe, Arizona, but ended in a violent tragedy that claimed the life of Shaquille Simmons, a 32-year-old Black man. Around 9:00 a.m., Simmons arrived at his workplace near the intersection of Rural and Guadalupe roads, preparing to open the store alongside a coworker. As they approached the business, they were ambushed in the parking lot.
Witnesses reported hearing a sequence of gunshots that shattered the storefront windows, leaving glass scattered across the pavement. Police officers who were already in the area heard the gunfire and responded immediately to the scene.
Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered Simmons and his 21-year-old colleague, Mary Visser, suffering from critical gunshot wounds. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, neither survived their injuries. Authorities quickly apprehended a suspect at the scene, identifying him as 27-year-old Benjaman Visser Jr., the husband of Mary Visser. He was found allegedly holding a firearm and reportedly surrendered without incident. Investigators described the shooting as an ambush born out of jealousy, stating that the suspect believed his wife and Simmons were involved in a romantic relationship, a claim that police and Simmons' family have vehemently denied as having no basis in fact.
Following his arrest, Benjaman Visser Jr. was booked into the Tempe City Jail and later charged with two counts of first-degree murder. During his initial court proceedings, he was held on a $2 million cash-only bond. He did not appear in person for his first scheduled court hearing, with his defense counsel citing concerns regarding his mental state and a potential risk of self-harm. Prosecutors noted a history of controlling behavior and domestic issues leading up to the double homicide, portraying the attack as a premeditated act of domestic violence that spilled over into the public sphere.
The loss devastated those who knew Simmons, who was remembered by his family as a loyal and hardworking individual. Relatives, including his brother and father, gathered at the scene in the days following the shooting to mourn, expressing their shock that he was killed simply for showing up to work. They clarified that he had a long-term girlfriend who was expecting a child, emphasizing that he had no romantic connection to his coworker and was merely an innocent bystander to the suspect's rage. The community and family members have since sought to honor his memory, describing him as a cherished son and brother whose life was cut short by unfounded assumptions.
