Teen arrested after shooting death of Georgia community leader

ATLANTA (AP) - Police say a 17-year-old boy has been arrested after a well-known community leader was shot to death in his southwest Atlanta front yard.

Atlanta police spokeswoman Officer Kim Jones tells local news media that the teenager was arrested Thursday in connection to fatal shooting of Barney Simms. The 70-year-old Simms was found dead in his yard Saturday with his front door unlocked and black Lexus missing.

Simms was commended twice by the State of Georgia's Secretary of State office as an outstanding Georgia citizen. He was retired from the Atlanta Housing Authority.

He served as chairman of several organizations including the Fulton County Division of Family and Children Services advisory board. He was a member of Antioch Baptist Church since 1969.

Simms funeral is planned for Saturday.

Upcoming Events