Gunman who killed Gwinnett woman in retaliation against her grandson, convicted of murder, faces life sentence

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A shooter was convicted on murder charges on Friday, Sept. 20, for using a semi-automatic style gun to kill a 64-year-old woman in retaliation against her 17-year-old grandson.

A Gwinnett County jury found Tyree Jaron Simmons, 27, guilty of malice murder, three counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, first-degree criminal damage to property, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony for the Feb.22, 2022, death of  Christine Walker. Simmons will be sentenced at a later date but faces life in prison. According to the investigation, Simmons fired the weapon into a Snellville hotel room, striking Walker as she slept.

“Christine Walker was asleep when the defendant opened fire into her room,” Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “All she did was take responsibility for raising her grandson. She did not deserve to be murdered this way. The fact that he had a switch, which turned his semi-automatic handgun into an automatic weapon, makes this crime especially egregious. Our hearts pour out for Ms. Walker’s grandson and for her family and loved ones.”

On the morning of the shooting, Walker was asleep in the extended stay hotel room she shared with her 17-year-old grandson, A’Jadeen Cunningham. Around 4:30 a.m., Cunningham was in the bathroom when rapid-fire gunshots were heard. Walker was struck in the head and died in her bed, according to the investigation.

Cunningham had had a prior altercation with Simmons and told police that Simmons pointed a handgun at him that was equipped with a “switch.” The switch is a small device that can turn a Glock into an automatic handgun by applying force to the trigger bar. Witnesses told police they heard continuous gunshots, which is consistent with the use of a switch.

Police eventually interviewed Simmons, who denied any knowledge of the shooting or having a gun. The Intown Suites on Highway 78 evicted Simmons, and police held him on an unrelated warrant. Investigators eventually found a Glock 29 handgun with a switch attachment hidden in the cook-top drip pan of the stove where Simmons had been staying.

During subsequent police interviews, Simmons changed his story several times and denied even knowing Cunningham or anything about the weapon.

Assistant District Attorney Mikaela Henderson and Managing Assistant District Attorney Norris Lewis prosecuted the case. Investigators Richard Escher and Ronald Thomson and Victim Advocate Sonia Davis-Bey assisted. Gwinnett County Police Department led the investigation.