St. Pete Shooting Suspect Captured

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The St. Petersburg Police Department has found the man it wanted in connection with a Monday evening shooting that left one person injured.

According to the agency, Darryl Keith Atkins, 52, was spotted by detectives around 10:15 a.m. Tuesday near 1535 Scranton St. S.

“Atkins was arrested without any problems and refused to talk with detectives,” an email from the agency stated. He now faces attempted first-degree murder charges and is being booked into the Pinellas County Jail, police say.

The charges against Atkins stem from a shooting that occurred Monday night. Police say they were called to 1040 16th Street S. just after 8 p.m. When they arrived, they found Ricky Eugene Simmons, 50, suffering from a single gunshot wound. Police say Simmons and Atkins are believed to have been in an argument that originated over the past week.

“Last night, Atkins was parked behind 1516 James Avenue South, and called Simmons over to his vehicle … then shot him,” an earlier email from the agency to media stated.

Atkins, police say, drove off after the shooting and Simmons managed to make his way to 3 Brothers convenience store at 1040 16th St. S. on foot. Once there, police were called and Simmons was taken to Bayfront Health. As of Tuesday morning, he was listed in stable condition, police say.

Photo of Atkins from a 2005 arrest courtesy of the St. Petersburg Police Department

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