On the night of July 13, 2023, in Rockport, Texas, 59-year-old Sharon Simmons was fatally shot by her boyfriend, 57-year-old Richard Becker, during a domestic dispute at their residence. The altercation escalated when Becker retrieved a firearm and shot Simmons, resulting in her immediate death.
A friend of Simmons, present during the incident, was also shot and injured by Becker. Despite her injuries, she managed to escape the house and contact emergency services.
Three children, including two of Simmons' grandchildren, were inside the home at the time but were unharmed.
Upon arrival, law enforcement officers attempted to negotiate with Becker, who had barricaded himself inside the residence. After a standoff, a SWAT team entered the home and discovered that Becker had died by suicide.
This tragic event highlights the severe consequences of domestic violence, leaving a community mourning the loss of Sharon Simmons and grappling with the trauma inflicted upon the survivors.
