Inset: William Elwood Simmons (Orange County Jail). Background: The 8000 block of Romerly Court in Orlando, Florida, where Simmons allegedly shot his wife to death (Google Maps).
In a chilling incident that unfolded in Florida, an 80-year-old man was arrested after allegedly shooting his 83-year-old wife, who suffered from dementia, during a dispute over going on a cruise. The man, identified as William Elwood Simmons, reportedly told authorities that he preferred jail over dealing with his wife, according to officials.
The tragic event has led to Simmons facing a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of his wife, Nancy Simmons. Officers from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the couple’s residence on Romerly Court in Orlando at approximately 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, following a distressing call in which Simmons allegedly reported his wife was “down” and he was “just sitting” there, as detailed in a probable cause arrest affidavit.
Upon their arrival, deputies encountered William Simmons in the garage, where he reportedly signaled them over. He openly admitted to the incident, stating, “I do know what happened, I did it,” according to accounts from deputies.
When questioned about the presence of weapons, Simmons allegedly pointed to the house and indicated, “well, one on the floor; I put it there.” Officers who entered the home discovered Nancy Simmons in the kitchen, deceased from a gunshot wound, with a shotgun and a spent shell casing nearby, as described by the deputies.
Asked if there were any weapons in the house, he allegedly said “well, one on the floor; I put it there.”
Cops entered the home and found the victim in the kitchen dead from a gunshot wound. There was also a shotgun on the floor with a spent shell casing, deputies wrote.
The suspect was taken to a police station, where detectives interviewed him.
“He stated he was guilty and he shot his wife,” the affidavit said. “He confirmed they were in the kitchen arguing over going on a cruise. Nancy told him multiple times ‘f— you, you bastard’ which triggered Simmons.”
William Simmons then went to his bedroom, grabbed a shotgun from the closet and came back to the kitchen. His wife again said “f— you, you bastard” and he shot her one time, per cops. He later said that he had dealt with her dementia for “far too long” and that he loved “the old Nancy, and that he would rather live in prison than to deal with her.”
The suspect remains at the Orange County Jail without bond.
