Crime
23-Year-Old Joey Vincent Simmons II Dies in Crash Following High-Speed Pursuit with Arkansas State Police
Bee Branch, Ark. — A 23-year-old Memphis man was killed Wednesday morning following a high-speed pursuit with Arkansas State Police in Van Buren County.
Authorities say the individual, identified as Joey Vincent Simmons II, was the subject of a Be On the Lookout (BOLO) alert in connection with recent armed robberies at convenience stores in Conway and Damascus.
The pursuit began around 7:45 a.m. after troopers spotted Simmons driving a Toyota Camry northbound on U.S. Highway 65, just south of Bee Branch.
According to investigators, Simmons refused to stop and initiated a dangerous high-speed chase, reportedly reaching speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.
During the pursuit, Simmons passed other vehicles on the right shoulder and drove into oncoming traffic, significantly endangering other motorists.
Police further stated that Simmons fired a weapon at troopers during the pursuit.
No troopers were struck or injured, and law enforcement officers did not return fire at any point during the incident.
The chase ended when Simmons lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the roadway into a wooded area, where it crashed.
Authorities say Simmons was ejected from the vehicle as a result of the crash.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
His body has been transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, where an autopsy will be conducted to determine the official cause and manner of death.
No injuries to law enforcement officers were reported. The investigation remains ongoing.
City of Hammond, Louisiana — At approximately 11:50 p.m. on February 24, 2026, officers with the Hammond Police Department responded to a report of shots fired involving one possible victim.
Upon arrival, officers located a 14-year-old juvenile female, identified as Tyronai Reed, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
Emergency medical assistance was rendered at the scene, and she was transported to North Oaks Health System for treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Reed later succumbed to her injuries.
Detectives assigned to the department’s Criminal Investigations Division launched an immediate homicide investigation.
During the course of their investigation, authorities identified 18-year-old Demontez Treyvon “Trey” Robinson of Hammond as a suspect in the shooting.
While actively working the case, officers observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and conducted a traffic stop.
Robinson was identified as the driver of the vehicle and was taken into custody without incident.
Robinson was transported to the Criminal Investigations Division for questioning. According to investigators, Robinson admitted that the firearm discharged while he was handling or “playing with” it, resulting in the single round striking the 14-year-old victim.
Robinson was subsequently booked into the Hammond City Jail on one count of Negligent Homicide.
Authorities emphasize that the investigation remains in its early stages and additional details may be released as they become available.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Corey Morse with the Hammond Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 985-277-5758 or via email at morse_cm@hammond.org. Tips may also be submitted through the department’s official Facebook page or anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa at 1-800-554-5245.
Individuals providing information may be eligible for a cash reward. Authorities urge members of the community to assist in the ongoing investigation.