In the late afternoon heat of a South Carolina summer, a dispute over something as ordinary as a parking spot escalated into a fatal encounter that claimed the life of 58-year-old Alvin 'AL' Simmons. On July 27, 2023, in the 5500 block of North Main Street in Columbia, what began as a disagreement in the parking lot of an auto shop turned violent before 5 p.m.
Alvin AL Simmons, a Black / African American male, was fatally shot during the altercation.
Both Simmons and another man, later identified as the suspect, sustained life-threatening gunshot wounds and were rushed to a local hospital. The Richland County Coroner's Office later confirmed that Simmons had succumbed to his injuries, ruling his death a homicide.
Following an investigation that involved interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage, the Columbia Police Department identified 68-year-old Franklin James as the suspect in the shooting. Authorities allege that a confrontation between Simmons and James escalated, leading to both men exchanging gunfire. James was subsequently charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, possession of a weapon with an obliterated serial number, and auto tampering.
A Celebration of Life Service for Alvin Simmons was held on August 4, 2023, at the JP Holley Funeral Home Southeast Chapel, with his interment at the Gates of Heaven Cemetery.
