On a tragic Friday evening in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the life of 44-year-old Benjamin L. Simms, a Black/African American male, was cut short in an act of violence that stemmed from a family dispute. The incident, which occurred on October 11, 2019, unfolded in the perceived safety of his own home. Simms was resting on his living room couch when his 24-year-old stepson, Melvonta Jones, arrived at the residence.
The encounter quickly escalated as Jones confronted his stepfather, uttering
words about disrespect towards himself and his mother before brandishing a handgun. The tragic events unfolded in the presence of Sharita Simms, Benjamin's wife and Jones's mother, and their 7-year-old daughter. Despite the young girl's pleas of "Don't shoot my daddy," Jones fired the weapon, fatally wounding Simms. An autopsy later revealed that Simms sustained two gunshot wounds, one to his head and another to his abdomen.
Following the shooting, Melvonta Jones fled the scene but was later apprehended by authorities. In his statement to investigators, Jones admitted to the shooting, claiming his initial intention was only to frighten his stepfather. He was subsequently charged with first-degree reckless homicide with the use of a dangerous weapon. The motive behind the deadly confrontation was described by Sharita Simms as a tragic misunderstanding fueled by her son's feelings of jealousy and neglect.
In the ensuing legal proceedings, Melvonta Jones initially pleaded not guilty. However, he later changed his plea to guilty of first-degree reckless homicide in February 2020. On July 20, 2020, Jones was sentenced to 22 years in prison, followed by 8 years of extended supervision. The court also ordered him to pay $5,000 in restitution. The devastating incident left Sharita Simms grappling with the loss of her husband and the imprisonment of her son, a profound and lasting tragedy for the family.
