In a world increasingly shaped by the digital landscape, the impact of social media can sometimes have devastating real-world consequences.
The case of West Virginia man Kayce Simms is a sobering reminder of how a single Facebook post can spiral into a tragic chain of events, leading to a senseless act of violence and a life sentence.
In November 2022, a dispute between Kayce Simms’ grandmother and her brother’s roommate, Ashtin Owens, escalated to the point where Simms’ grandmother took to Facebook to express her frustration.
Little did she know that this social media post would set in motion a series of events that would ultimately lead to Owens’ untimely demise.
According to the Fayette County Prosecutor, Anthony Ciliberti, the argument between Simms’ grandmother and Owens stemmed from a disagreement over the use of the grandmother’s vehicle.
When she went to her brother’s home to confront him, Owens, who was also present, became embroiled in the altercation.
Feeling disrespected, Simms’ grandmother took to Facebook to vent her grievances, unaware of the consequences that would soon unfold.
Upon seeing his grandmother’s Facebook post, Kayce Simms, a 21-year-old man from Mount Hope, West Virginia, sprang into action.
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Ciliberti recounts that Simms “saw the Facebook post and called her (his grandmother) and found out from her what had happened, and that prompted Simms to get possession of a firearm and then later that evening went to Owens’ residence and confronted him and shot him.”
Police responded to the scene and upon arriving, it was determined that the victim, Ashtin Owens, age 37, had sustained two gunshot wounds. Owens was transported via helicopter to a trauma center in Charleston, West Virginia, but later succumbed to his wounds.
The tragic incident was swiftly reported to the authorities, and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department Detective Bureau immediately launched an investigation. Three witnesses were present in Owens’ home at the time of the shooting, and two of them were able to positively identify Simms as the shooter.
Simms was arrested on December 2, 2022, and has been incarcerated since then. During the sentencing hearing, the court heard evidence that Simms had been subject to a considerable number of disciplinary write-ups while incarcerated, including violations involving the possession of a weapon, making threats to correction employees, and assault and battery on correction employees.
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On May 30, 2024, Kayce Simms faced the consequences of his actions in a Fayette County courtroom. Circuit Judge Thomas H. Ewing sentenced him to life in prison with a recommendation of mercy for the felony crime of first-degree murder.
Additionally, Simms received a consecutive 10-year sentence for the felony crime of using or presenting a firearm during the commission of a felony.
The judge’s ruling meant that Simms must serve a minimum of 17 and a half years before becoming eligible for parole.
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