The Gary American

Held in Killing

Julius Simmons, 47, of 1793 Arthur St., who surrendered to police after he shot and killed a tenant in his building at 1421 Madison St. Monday morning, has been taken to Lake County Jail at Crown Point where he is being held on a preliminary charge of murder, pending a review by the grand jury. Simmons, according to Detective Andrew Ball and Robert Scott, went to his building and there became involved in a dispute with Birlee Williams, who, with his family, occupied the second-floor rear apartment. There followed an argument over rent and Williams' failure to vacate the apartment as demanded by Simmons, then Simmons shot Williams, according to a statement by Williams' widow, Lorraine. She said the dispute started during August when Simmons failed to acknowledge a receipt for July rent, allegedly signed by Simmons' wife, then demanded they move. They have been seeking another apartment, without success, but endured numerous invasions of their apartment by both Simmons and workmen brought in by him. As the argument Monday morning became more heated, Mrs. Williams said, Simmons struck her husband with his fist. Williams retaliated by slugging Simmons with a small water pail. Simmons then produced a .38 caliber pistol, fired once, and fled, leaving the fatally-wounded Williams on the kitchen floor of the apartment.