MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CRIME & JUSTICE

Who was Willie Simmons? Linebacker shot dead by Austin gunman Stephen Broderick was North Texas varsity signee

Stephen was last seen in a gray hoodie, sunglasses and baseball cap and is believed to be 'armed and dangerous'

AUSTIN, TEXAS: Willie Simmons, a linebacker from Elgin who had signed with North Texas, were among three fatally shot at the Arboretum Oaks Apartments on Sunday. The gunman was identified as Stephen Nicholas Broderick, 41, who knew all the three victims, said interim Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon. Police believe he is "armed and dangerous." 

According to tweets by two women victims who were shot dead were the gunman's stepdaughter and her mother, who was Willie's best friend. However, MEAWW cannot independently verify this information

READ MORE

Who is Stephen Broderick? Ex-detective wanted for killing 3 in Austin shooting was charged with child sex abuse

3 Texas cops injured in shooting as gunman with 'mental health issues' holds family members hostage at home

Who was Willie Simmons?

Simmons was a member of UNT's 2021 recruiting class and had committed to the college in April. Also, Simmons was a part of the first-team All-District 13-5A selection and had waited patiently for a scholarship offer. Simmons was loved at UNT, which was evident from condolence messages that poured in soon after the news broke.

"Prayers to the Simmons family and all families affected," UNT tight ends coach Adrian Mayes wrote on his Twitter account and added: "What an unbelievable kid! Intelligent, hard-working, and passionate! Going to miss you! #RIP9." While UNT recruiting coordinator Luke Walerius tweeted: "Sometimes things happen that you just can’t wrap your head around or make any sense of. Praying for the Simmons’, Elgin community, and all of those Willie affected with his bright smile, infectious personality, and larger than life heart. #LLW #9. Going to miss you my man."

"Praying for the family and friends of Willie Simmons and the rest of the victims in the Austin shooting tonight. From my couple of interactions with Willie, it was easy to learn that he was a special kid with a big heart. I’m sick and heartbroken over this senseless tragedy," a reporter-broadcaster posted.

The Austin Police Department Broderick was last seen in a gray hoodie and baseball cap and a $1,000 reward is being offered to anyone with leads on him. According to the Texas Rangers and Travis County court records, Broderick is an ex-detective and was charged with child sex abuse in June 2020. However, he was soon bonded out of jail but had to resign from his post. A $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to his arrest.

"Suspect in shooting incident at Great Hills Trail and Rain Creek Parkway was last seen wearing a gray hoodie, sunglasses, and a baseball cap. Please be aware of your surroundings and report sighting of this suspect to 9-1-1. -PIO80," the Austin PD tweeted. 

Meanwhile, the internet is immensely disturbed by the killings. "From other things I read in the news today, I was afraid it was the mother, but they said it was 3 adults. That in itself is horrible...but this literally just made me sick," one expressed, while another asked: "Was the shooter treated differently because he was a cop?" "So awful. I worked in the Arboretum for 6 years and never once felt unsafe, even leaving work at 2am. This is heartbreaking," another expressed.