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.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.