On July 17, 2023, 37-year-old Aljerone Miquel Sims was fatally shot in a drive-by incident in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The shooting occurred around 10:00 p.m. in the 100 block of North Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Sims was seated outside when a silver vehicle drove by, and an occupant fired multiple shots, striking him several times. Emergency responders pronounced Sims dead at the scene.
In the days following the incident, law enforcement intensified their investigation.
On July 20, 2023, Greensboro Police arrested 30-year-old Davon Maurice Moore in connection with Sims' death. Moore was charged with murder and taken to the Forsyth County Detention Center, where he was held without bond.
Tragically, on July 19, 2023, during a vigil held at the same location where Sims was killed, another shooting occurred. Ricky Renea Davis, a 29-year-old attendee, was shot and later died from his injuries. Witnesses reported that unknown suspects approached the gathering and opened fire before fleeing the scene. This incident marked the third homicide in Winston-Salem within a span of three days, prompting local law enforcement to address the surge in violence and urge community members to come forward with information.
Sims' death was part of a concerning increase in homicides in Winston-Salem during 2023. By mid-July, the city had recorded 30 homicides, a significant rise from 21 during the same period in 2022. In response, authorities called for community engagement to combat the escalating violence and emphasized their commitment to ensuring public safety.
A homegoing celebration for Aljerone Sims was held on July 27, 2023, at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. Friends and family remembered him as someone who was "always smiling" and "always took care of his loved ones."
