MAY 1, 2021
A Madison County man is in custody after he allegedly shot his mother, father and uncle. Madison County Sheriff’s deputies responded about 5:30 AM today to a residence south of Huntsville off Arkansas Highway 23. Inside the residence at 1641 Madison County Road 5675, deputies found Richard Simmons Jr., 67, still alive. Simmons’ brother, Mark Lee Simmons, 66, and Richard Simmons’ wife, Mary Marlene Simmons, 65, were both dead.
Samuel Oliver Simmons, 44, the son of Richard and Mary Simmons, was later apprehended near Huntsville by an Arkansas State Trooper of the department’s Highway Patrol Division, Troop I. Simmons lived at the same address with his parents and uncle.
Madison County authorities have asked the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division to take the lead in the investigation.
Richard Simmons is reported to be in stable condition at a Fayetteville hospital.
The bodies of Mark and Mary Simmons have been transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory where a manner and cause of death will be determined.
Samuel Simmons remains in custody at the Madison County Jail and is expected to be formally charged on Monday.