Gunman Convicted for Killing Snellville Grandmother in Retaliation Against Grandson

A Gwinnett County jury convicted 27-year-old Tyree Jaron Simmons on Friday for the fatal shooting of 64-year-old Christine Walker in her Snellville hotel room. Simmons was found guilty of malice murder, three counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, and firearm possession in the commission of a felony. The shooting, which took place on February 22, 2022, was an act of retaliation against Walker’s 17-year-old grandson, A’Jadeen Cunningham.

According to prosecutors, Simmons fired multiple rounds into Walker’s room at the Intown Suites on Highway 78 in the early morning hours. Walker, who had been asleep, was fatally struck in the head. Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said, “Christine Walker was asleep when the defendant opened fire into her room. All she did was take responsibility for raising her grandson. She did not deserve to be murdered this way.”

The shooting followed a prior altercation between Simmons and Cunningham. Cunningham told police that Simmons had previously pointed a handgun at him, which was equipped with a “switch” device—a modification that allows semi-automatic weapons to fire automatically. Witnesses confirmed hearing continuous gunfire, consistent with the use of such a device.

Simmons initially denied involvement but was eventually arrested after police found a Glock 29 handgun with a switch hidden in a stove at the hotel where he had been staying. Investigators later linked the weapon to the shooting.

Simmons faces a potential life sentence, with sentencing to be determined at a later date. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Mikaela Henderson and Managing Assistant District Attorney Norris Lewis, with the assistance of Gwinnett County investigators Richard Escher and Ronald Thomson.