Published March 19th, 2026
On March 19, 2026, at approximately 10:30pm, Gainesville police officers responded to a report from a woman who stated that a man with a gun was at her home, and she was in fear for her safety near Briarwood and Skyline Drives. The suspect ran down the street into another woman’s home when officers arrived. When officers approached the second residence, the suspect fired a weapon, striking an officer. Other officers returned fire, after which the suspect barricaded himself inside the home. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded in attempts to have the suspect surrender. The standoff lasted over 6 hours, ending when the suspect ran out of the front door, firing at officers who returned fire, striking the suspect.
The officer who was shot has not been identified. The bullet struck the officer below the throat area, hitting the worn 2-way radio and ballistic vest. Police Chief Parrish stated that the bullet only left a bruise and that had the bullet struck 1 inch higher, it could have been a different outcome. The suspect has been identified as 24-year-old Dakota Levi Simmons. Simmons was transported to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
