On the night of June 9, 2023, 21-year-old Shamar Laquan Simms was wounded in north Minneapolis and arrived at North Memorial Hospital with life-threatening gunshot injuries. He died in the early hours of June 10; the Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide from multiple gunshot wounds. Police responded earlier to a ShotSpotter alert in the 3600 block of Penn Avenue North, and preliminary information indicates Simms was standing outdoors when he was shot.

Simms was described by family and former teachers as a happy young man with an infectious smile. A 2020 graduate of Columbia Heights High School, he loved cars and was preparing to start a new job as a security guard and move into a new apartment. He was the father of a one-year-old and had another baby on the way. The investigation remains open and no arrests or public suspect identifications have been announced; police have asked anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers.

If anyone knew Shamar, saw activity in the Penn Avenue North area that night, or has information about the shooting, please come forward to authorities.