Adrion Jayden Simmons, a 20-year-old Black man originally from Atlanta, Georgia, was shot and killed in Conehatta, Mississippi, on the night of February 16, 2024. He had moved to Newton County with hopes of building a life for himself and his two young daughters. The shooting occurred at a residence on Campus Drive, near Conehatta Elementary School, at about 10 p.m. Deputies from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office later found Simmons deceased from gunshot wounds.

Choctaw Police were first on scene and transferred the investigation to Newton County after determining neither the victim nor the suspect were Tribal members. Present at the scene was 21-year-old Qualee Fryer of Philadelphia, Mississippi, who was detained and later charged with murder following interviews. Justice Court Judge Justin Chaney denied bond for Fryer on February 18, 2024. Authorities say the motive and specific circumstances remain under investigation.

If anyone witnessed the shooting on Campus Drive that night or has information about what led to Adrion Simmons being killed, please come forward.