Rhacizo Demetri Simms was 19 when he was fatally shot in the early morning hours of July 8, 2006, in the 800 block of Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma, Washington. A 16-year-old girl was also struck in the back by a stray bullet and hospitalized.

Authorities described the shooting as an apparent instance of gang-related violence in a part of the city where such attacks were uncommon at that time, even as gang problems were increasing elsewhere in Tacoma. Police increased patrols in areas associated with gang activity after the incident, and the investigation into Simms’ death was described as thorough. Simms had been arrested in May 2006 on charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and dangerous weapons, with a trial originally set for June and then postponed. No arrests or suspects have been publicly identified in connection with his murder.

If anyone was in downtown Tacoma on the night of July 7–8, 2006, or has information about the shooting, please share what is known.