In the early morning hours of July 8, 2006, the life of 19-year-old Rhacizo Demetri Simms, a Black/African American male, was cut short in a burst of violence in downtown Tacoma, Washington. The incident unfolded in the 800 block of Pacific Avenue, where an exchange of words and gestures between two groups escalated into gunfire. Simms was fatally shot, and a 16-year-old girl, an innocent bystander, was struck in the back by a stray bullet and subsequently hospitalized.
Authorities at
the time described the shooting as a rare occurrence of apparent gang-related violence in that part of the city, although such incidents had been on the rise elsewhere in Tacoma, particularly on the East Side. The Tacoma police investigation suggested that the two groups had a chance encounter on the street that quickly turned deadly. In the wake of the shooting, police increased their presence in areas known for gang activity, including the Ruston Way waterfront, in an effort to curb the growing violence. The investigation into Simms' death was described as thorough.
Adding a layer of complexity to the case, Rhacizo Simms had his own entanglements with the law in the months leading up to his death. In May 2006, he had been arrested by Pierce County sheriff's deputies and was facing charges for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and dangerous weapons. His trial had been scheduled for June but was postponed. Despite the investigation and the context of rising gang tensions in the city, there has been no public announcement of any arrests made or suspects identified in connection with the murder of Rhacizo Simms.
