The well-known civic leader who was shot to death in his yard Sunday ate lunch at a local restaurant hours before his death, police say.

Barney Simms, 70, was found about 4 p.m. with “multiple defects” on his body after being struck and killed by at least one bullet, Lt. Charles Hampton, an Atlanta homicide detective, said Monday.

Police are now seeking the man seen at about 2 p.m. with Simms at the Virginia Avenue Waffle House.

“We do know they both ate at the Waffle House,” Hampton said.

Hampton said the man is “pretty recognizable,” with a long nose and wearing a Knicks hat. The man was not described as a suspect but as a person of interest.

“He may have been the last person to see Simms alive.” Hampton said.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Workers at the Atlanta Community Food Bank distribution center are seen uploading food into multiple aisles on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. The organization is utilizing $5 million from its reserves to purchase 6 million pounds of food for distribution over the next four weeks. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat gives a tour of Fulton County Jail in  2023. (Natrice Miller/AJC 2023)

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC