On a spring evening in Charleston, South Carolina, the life of 34-year-old Rashaad Vernon Simmons, a Black male, was tragically cut short. On May 7, 2024, at approximately 9:47 p.m., the sound of gunfire echoed through Johnson Street, between America and Hanover Streets. When officers from the Charleston Police Department arrived at the scene, they discovered a grim tableau.
Rashaad and another man, 38-year-old Derrik Rollerson Sr., were both found deceased, having succumbed to gunshot wounds.
The initial shock of the double homicide gave way to a determined investigation by the Charleston Police Department. Their efforts to piece together the events of that fatal night led them to a suspect. Authorities arrested 37-year-old Altonio Lamont Prioleau in connection with the killings. The investigation suggested a violent encounter that resulted in the deaths of two men and left the community seeking answers.
Following his arrest, Altonio Lamont Prioleau was faced with a series of serious charges. He was charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of Rashaad Vernon Simmons and Derrik Rollerson Sr. In addition to the murder charges, he was also charged with one count of attempted murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. Prioleau was subsequently detained at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center as he awaited legal proceedings. The case against him is currently pending in the court system, with future appearance dates scheduled. As the legal process unfolds, the family and friends of Rashaad Vernon Simmons are left to mourn their loss, having laid him to rest in Riverview Memorial Garden in North Charleston after a Celebration of Life Service on May 17, 2024.
