RELATED: Homicide suspect in teen’s death has ‘very minor’ criminal record
Dayton police Sgt. Michael Godsey said Wednesday afternoon Jalyn Simmons had been booked into jail on counts of aggravated murder and aggravated robbery in connection to the teen’s death.
Banks was the target in the robbery, but it wasn’t made clear what those responsible were after, according to Godsey.
“It appears it was a robbery that for some reason didn’t go according to plan,” Godsey said. “It set out to be a robbery and then wound up being a homicide.”
Police found eight shell casings at the scene. Banks was struck six times. The weapon believed to have been used was recovered at a place where Simmons had visited, Godsey said.
Simmons, 21, has a “very minor” record, according to Godsey— one traffic citation — which he called “very unusual” for a suspect in this situation. Godsey said Simmons was likely the only shooter, other people were with him during the robbery and shooting.
Banks’ father, James Banks Sr., drove to the scene Wednesday to thank a group of his son’s friends as they gathered to support each other.
A few stuffed animals sat on the spot where the 14-year-old fell.
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“Whatever they were trying to get from him, I would have gave to them to have him back,” said James Banks Sr. “He was a troubled child, but he was a good child; he was ours.”
The 14-year-old Banks had several charges over the past two years in Montgomery County Juvenile Court, including several misdemeanor and felony charges, according to court records.
He was arrested on March 9 in connection to a felony burglary. He was released March 20.
Police are looking into James’ “troubled” background for clues as to why he may have been targeted in the robbery.
“There is a history there that we’re working through,” Godsey said. “We’re trying to figure out why he was the particular target.”
James Banks Sr. said nothing his son had done in the past should have led to this.
“He obviously wasn’t in the wrong on this one, he didn’t do nothing. He didn’t provoke nothing,” the father said.
“Everybody was touched by him. He was a special kid,” James Banks Sr. said. “We’re here to help them through their mistakes and now I can never help him through his mistake.”
The teenager was an eighth grader at Wogaman Middle School. Rhonda Corr, superintendent for Dayton Public Schools, released a statement Wednesday expressing condolences.
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“When violence in the community claims one of our students, it strengthens our diligence to keep students and staff safe and secure at school,” the release said. “Dayton schools are on spring break this week, so no children are in class, but counselors or support staff are always available to assist any student.
“We urge anyone with information about the incident to call the Dayton Police Department.”
Dayton has recorded seven homicides this year, which police said is about the same pace as this time last year.
The neighborhood where James Banks Jr. was killed has not been an area Dayton police has to monitor often according to Godsey, noting that there have been homicides there in the past, they were “spread out” throughout the year.
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