Jamel Hines, now 18, has been charged with the murder of 16-year-old Ladarrius “D’Baby” Simmons in Wilson.
A Wilson County arrest warrant obtained by The North Carolina Beat has now identified the alleged shooter in the June 23, 2026, killing of 16-year-old Ladarrius “D’Baby” Simmons.
Jamel Hines, who turned 18 on July 7, 2026, faces a Murder charge in the targeted shooting inside a home at 616 Spruce Street in Wilson’s Whitfield Homes subdivision. He was 17 years old at the time of the offense.
According to the warrant issued June 23, 2026, Hines is accused of unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously killing and murdering Ladarrius Alfonzo Simmons “of malice aforethought.”
He has since been transferred from juvenile detention to the Wilson County Detention Center as an adult.
Two other people were also charged and arrested on accessory-related charges.
Latoya Andrea Lucas, 19, of 616 Spruce Street (the actual address where the murder occurred), is charged with Felony Accessory After the Fact to Murder and Felony Obstructing Justice.
She is accused of providing false statements to police to help the shooter avoid detection and arrest.
Lucas has since bonded out of jail.
Valenta Deondra Lucas, 41, of 906 Birch Street (the same street listed for Hines on the warrant), is charged with Felony Obstructing Justice for allegedly giving false statements to investigators “with deceit and intent to defraud.”
Valenta has since bonded out of jail.
Just after midnight on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Wilson Police responded to a gunshot call at the Spruce Street residence. Officers found Simmons inside suffering from a fatal gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Family members have said the teenager did not live at the home, which was occupied by a 19-year-old woman and her young children. Police have described the killing as a targeted, deliberate attack inside the residence.
Wilson Police have not released additional details about a possible motive or whether more arrests are expected. The investigation remains active.
