After escaping, murder suspect Tyrese Simmons, who had severed his ankle monitor, was apprehended by the Tulsa Police Department earlier today at the Sky Hotel near I-244 and Garnett. Simmons, charged in the 2019 murder of 9-year-old Brandoniya Bennett in Dallas, had been on the run, evading authorities for several weeks.
Law enforcement officials received a tip indicating Simmons' presence at the Sky Hotel. Upon arrival, officers attempted to coax Simmons out of a hotel room, but he adamantly refused to comply with their commands. Hours passed as negotiations continued to no avail, leading officers to escalate their tactics.
In a determined effort to apprehend the murder suspect, law enforcement officers deployed pepper balls into the room. Subsequently, Simmons was overcome, and authorities were able to take him into custody without further incident.
Simmons is being held at the Tulsa County Jail. He will be extradited back to Dallas in the near future.
The charges against Tyrese Simmons stem from the tragic murder of 9-year-old Brandoniya Bennett in 2019. It is alleged that Simmons, acting as the shooter, fired multiple shots into Bennett's home, mistakenly believing it to be the residence of a rival rapper living next door.
Last year, a co-defendant in the case, Davonte Benton, was convicted of murder for his involvement in Brandoniya Bennett's death. Benton received a sentence of 45 years in prison for his role in the tragic event. Now, Simmons, who had been awaiting trial, faces the prospect of a life sentence if found guilty.
Simmons' trial was scheduled to commence earlier this month, but his abrupt disappearance occurred when he severed his court-ordered ankle monitor. The act not only sparked concerns regarding public safety but also cast doubts on the efficacy of ankle monitors when it comes to monitoring dangerous criminals.
