In the quiet town of Thomaston, Georgia, the life of 21-year-old Delonzo Allen, a male, was tragically cut short on a Saturday afternoon. On February 18, 2023, just before 2 p.m., the sound of gunfire shattered the peace on Avenue G near G Circle. When Thomaston Police Department officers arrived at the scene, they found Delonzo Allen suffering from what appeared to be two gunshot wounds. He was quickly transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention, but despite the efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
The investigation into Allen's death was swift, and authorities soon had a person of interest in custody for questioning. This individual was identified as Samuel Simms, Jr., also a resident of Thomaston. Following the interrogation, Simms was arrested and faced serious charges in connection with the fatal shooting. He was formally charged with malice murder and criminal street gang activity, suggesting a deeper and more sinister motive behind the violent act. After his arrest, Samuel Simms, Jr. was booked into the Upson County Jail, where he was held as the investigation continued.
The legal process moved forward, culminating in a jury trial held in the new Upson County Justice Center. In January 2025, Samuel James Sims, then 19 years old, was found guilty on all counts related to the murder of Delonzo Deshun Allen. The jury determined that Sims was responsible for shooting Allen with a rifle on that fateful day in February 2023. Following the guilty verdict, the presiding Superior Court Judge, Fletcher Sams, handed down a severe sentence. Samuel James Sims was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, with an additional 25 years to be served in state prison, bringing a conclusion to the case.
