In the late summer of 2016, a dispute over noise at an Oklahoma City apartment complex tragically escalated, claiming the life of a beloved maintenance man. Greg 'Papa' Hill, a 52-year-old Black / African American male, was fatally shot on August 27, 2016, at the Liberty Station Apartments where he worked. On that fateful morning, Hill heard a gunshot and an argument outside.
Concerned for the safety and peace of the community, he went to intervene.
Witnesses reported hearing additional gunshots shortly after Hill confronted the individuals involved in the disturbance. He then returned to an apartment, stating he had been shot before he collapsed. The investigation into his death quickly led police to a suspect, 21-year-old Jimmy Simms. Information provided by Simms' pregnant girlfriend was crucial in his arrest. She told investigators that she had driven to the apartment complex to pick up another woman and found Simms arguing with her.
According to the girlfriend's account, Simms got into her vehicle, brandished a handgun, and fired a shot into the dashboard. It was at this point that Greg Hill approached to address the commotion. In the ensuing confrontation, Simms shot Hill. Following the investigation, Jimmy Simms was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Greg 'Papa' Hill. He was also charged with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, highlighting the broader threat his actions posed to others at the scene that day.
