Gay Teen Shot to Death in Florida

Simmie Davis, an openly gay 17 year old was shot and killed in Ft. Lauderdale over the weekend. Detectives are working to determine if the murder occurred because of Davis’ sexual orientation.

Simmie Williams Jr., 17, was attacked on the 1000 block of Sistrunk Boulevard by two young men who wore dark clothing and might live in the neighborhood, police said. Williams, who was wearing a dress and was known in the area by his first name or as “Chris” or “Beyonce,” was shot about 12:45 a.m. Friday and soon afterward died at Broward General Medical Center, police said.It’s unclear what Williams was doing in the area, about four miles from his house, but police are investigating whether he was working as a prostitute, officials said.

Williams’ mother said her son was openly gay, but she didn’t know what he did when he went out at night, and she didn’t know he wore women’s clothes.

“I gave him $2 for the bus and he never came back,” said Denise King, who lived with her son west of Fort Lauderdale. “He was a quiet person, kept to himself. He had a lot of friends. He wasn’t a troubled child. He was a happy person.”

Davis is the second gay teenager killed in as many weeks. Fifteen year old openly gay Lawrence King was shot and killed by a 14 year old classmate on the campus of their junior high school in Oxnard, CA.

There will be a candlelight vigil for Lawrence King in Washington, D.C. this evening beginning at 6:30pm in Dupont Circle. You can find out about memorials in your area at www.rememberinglawrence.org