R.I.P. Randal Simmons
There was a tragic incident in the San Fernando Valley this morning, as a mentally disturbed man murdered three family members and barricaded himself inside a house. He subsequently shot and killed a SWAT officer and seriously wounded another, after SWAT decided to enter because they believed people were about to be executed inside. The suspect was eventually killed by a police sniper as the suspect “tried to flee out a door, still firing his weapon.”
The slain officer, Randal Simmons, sounds like he was a great man. The L.A. Times has this story about him, and Robert C.J. Parry (who recently met him) blogs about him here.
Truly awful. Let’s hope Officer Veenstra makes a speedy and full recovery.
JVW (b03dfa) — 2/7/2008 @ 9:27 pmRandal Simmons was clearly a special person. God bless him and his family.
DRJ (517d26) — 2/7/2008 @ 10:03 pmJust plain sad all around.
TC (1cf350) — 2/7/2008 @ 11:43 pmRandy Was the realist person I ever grew to know. I grew up in the bus ministry that they speak of in the L.A. Times article and still am a member of Glory Christian. Our entire church is at shock and having a hard times coming to terms with it. Randy was the epitome of great. He will surely be missed by everyone, especially at the church, and especially on sunday mornings when we are so used to seeing him pull up in the church bus. We miss u & love u Randy.
BPJ (34043e) — 2/8/2008 @ 3:19 amWho was the woman who ran out? I heard she was someone’s gf but I didn’t hear which one.
As soon as they released the names of the police officers, I searched for info and photos. The hits that came up immediately and prior to the shooting were the ones honoring both officers for all their community service. It is a real lost.
tired (2bdc0e) — 2/8/2008 @ 7:45 amThe Mayor was interviewed by Doug McIntyre, KABC-790, this morning. The Mayor said that both of these men had been detailed to protect his children (death threats(?) that he did not wish to discuss), and because of the head shots they sustained, he could not recognize them at the hospital.
This is one of those cases that will be a rich trove of after-action research and examination – what was done right, and what was just wrong!
Another Drew (8018ee) — 2/8/2008 @ 9:25 amWell a least we dont have to put the murderer on trial and have som e bunch of liberals declare him NOT GUILTY BY REASONS OF INSANITY the killer is dead himself let the liberals pay for his funeral and save the family the expense
krazy kagu (6cb3c5) — 2/8/2008 @ 4:35 pmCandlelight Memorial
Commemorating the life of
Officer Randal Simmons
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Hacienda Village Housing Development
104th Street & Compton Avenue
Los Angeles
Please bring your own candles
FYI
Burger King “The Sims Inc.” located at 700 West Caesar Chavez, will donate 100% of it’s proceeds on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (midnight) to Officer Randy Simmons’ family. Please patronize this establishment on the above mentioned date.
The telephone number to this Burger King location is 213-626-0152
Barbara Ivory (814402) — 2/11/2008 @ 5:36 pmI am very sorry for your loss.We will all pray for him and his family in such a bad time.GOD BLESS HIM AND HIS FAMILY
Nancy (c8f391) — 2/15/2008 @ 1:37 pmRev 21:4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
My love, thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Randal “Randy” Simmons, his wife Lisa, his son and daughter, Matthew and Gabrielle, and his entire family. “God Bless You All.”
Cherylan Johnson (ab1a9e) — 2/16/2008 @ 12:10 amMy prayers go out to the Simmons family, I did not know Randal personally but after reading about him there is no doubt that he was one of the chosen few. I hope and pray that as a community we will continue to build on the foundation that this magnificent man created. “PEACE, LOVE and BLESSINGS.”
Darrell C. Davis (4afd22) — 2/16/2008 @ 4:03 pmRANDAL SIMMONS WAS A VERY KIND AND GENTAL PERSON. GOD BLESS HIM AND HIS FAMILY.I LOVE YOU RANDY.
JERMAINE DRAKE (ad8087) — 2/19/2008 @ 9:51 am