Tacoma, Washington – The Tacoma community mourns the tragic loss of a 17-year-old girl, Delayah Sims, who was shot and killed outside the Midtown Apartment homes in the Hilltop neighborhood on Saturday night. Eyewitnesses report that the shooting occurred following an argument involving the victim’s father. The alleged shooter turned himself in to Tacoma police on Tuesday afternoon.
The incident has deeply impacted the local residents, as the young girl collapsed amidst Cherry Blossom trees after being shot, ultimately succumbing to her injuries. A young neighbor who witnessed the aftermath recounted hearing Delayah’s desperate pleas for help and calls for her mother, demonstrating the harrowing and heartbreaking nature of the tragedy.
Despite efforts to save her, Delayah was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital after being transported by a private vehicle. Tacoma police continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the shooting, emphasizing that the victim and the suspect were acquainted. An eyewitness revealed that a Ring camera captured the victim’s father engaged in a heated argument just before the gunfire erupted, shedding light on the events preceding the tragic incident.
The devastating loss of Delayah Sims is compounded by the fact that her family has already experienced the trauma of losing her 18-year-old brother to gun violence in 2018. As the community grapples with this senseless tragedy, her family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses, highlighting the financial burden that often accompanies such unexpected and devastating losses.
The untimely death of Delayah Sims serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive impact of gun violence on communities and families. The heartbreaking account of her final moments, marked by screams of pain and fear, underscores the urgent need for measures to prevent such senseless acts of violence and provide support to those affected by its enduring consequences. As Tacoma mourns the loss of a young life cut short, the community rallies together to offer comfort and assistance to the grieving family in their time of profound sorrow.