Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

Police: Man seen at Waffle House with civic leader hours before death

Atlanta police have released a photograph that could help investigators find whoever murdered a prominent community leader.
By Ellen Eldridge
April 11, 2016

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

Ellen Eldridge
More Stories

Keep Reading

A bicyclist rides on the Beltline by Atlanta’s Krog Street Market on Sept. 16, just before the start of what experts projected would be an unseasonably warm fall. This week’s temperatures are in line with that prediction, as highs are expected to tie or break records. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Mid-November heat wave could break metro Atlanta temperature records

Metro Atlanta temperatures are expected to reach near-record highs over the next few days, just a week after North Georgia froze over.

DeKalb votes to move forward with $77 million ambulance contract

DeKalb County commissioners voted to approve a new $77 million ambulance contract with the county's existing provider, American Medical Response.

Girl stabbed to death by mother found positioned in a recliner, warrants say

A Sandy Springs mother fatally stabbed her 11-year-old daughter, whose body police found cleaned and placed in a recliner, according to Fulton County court documents.

The Latest

A bicyclist rides on the Beltline by Atlanta’s Krog Street Market on Sept. 16, just before the start of what experts projected would be an unseasonably warm fall. This week’s temperatures are in line with that prediction, as highs are expected to tie or break records. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Mid-November heat wave could break metro Atlanta temperature records

DeKalb votes to move forward with $77 million ambulance contract

Girl stabbed to death by mother found positioned in a recliner, warrants say

Featured

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones — pictured at an August rally in Peachtree City that also featured Vice President JD Vance — appears to have scored another legal victory over gubernatorial rival Attorney General Chris Carr in their battle over campaign finance issues. (Arvin Temkar/AJC 2025)

Credit: Arvin Temkar / AJC

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones scores another victory over use of campaign cash

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones appears to have scored another victory over Attorney General Chris Carr as the Republican gubernatorial candidates battle over campaign finance issues.

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.’s season is over; needs surgery to repair ACL

Michael Penix Jr., whom the Falcons hoped was their quarterback of the future, will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a partially torn ACL in his left knee.

Typewriter Tom fuels a growing interest in analog writing devices

Roswell's Tom Rehkopf owns about 1,000 typewriters, which he tinkers with at his workshop and happily shares with fellow aficionados, curious youngsters and even Tom Hanks.