On August 3, 2023, at about 7:42 p.m., deputies from the Pender County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call at 5595 Shaw Highway in Rocky Point and found 42-year-old Ronald Lee Simmons Jr. suffering from gunshot wounds. Deputies and EMS performed life-saving measures, but Simmons was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation led to the arrest of 47-year-old Michael Allen Simmons, described as the brother-in-law of the victim and a resident at the same address; he was charged with second-degree murder and, as of August 4, 2023, was held in the Pender County Jail on $1 million bond. Authorities say the probe into the circumstances of the shooting is ongoing.

Anyone with information about what happened that evening is asked to contact investigators to assist the ongoing investigation.