Young Mother Found Shot to Death in Greenwood, Suspect Arrested

Greenwood, S.C.

In a deeply unsettling turn of events, a young mother from Simpsonville was found shot to death along a road in Greenwood. The incident happened last Monday night, around 9:15 p.m., when officers were called to Wilson Creek Road regarding a welfare check. The call was distressing, as it also included information about two small boys, aged 8 and 5, wandering down the road alone.

The Tragic Discovery

By the time deputies arrived on the scene, the tragic picture became clearer. The woman discovered was 38-year-old Kasia Dierra Simmons, who lived approximately 50 miles away in Simpsonville. Kasia was found lying dead on the side of the road, identified later as the victim of a violent crime. Her death has been formally ruled a homicide.

The story quickly took a heart-wrenching turn as officials spoke with her two young sons. According to the boys, an unknown man was in the car with their mother when an argument erupted. When Simmons demanded the man leave, he instead put on a mask, brandished a gun, and ordered her to pull over. Alarmingly, he then dragged her out of the vehicle and shot her, before escaping with her car.

With immense courage, Simmons instructed her children to seek help. It was this act of bravery that eventually led the boys to a bystander who then called 911.

The Arrest

The Greenwood Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as 17-year-old Mon’Drikus Raphael Griffin, an acquaintance of Simmons from Greenville. Griffin has since been arrested and is currently held at the Greenwood County Detention Facility. He is being charged as an adult with murder, carjacking, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. At a hearing on Wednesday morning, Griffin’s bond was denied.

A Plead for Public Assistance

This tragic incident continues to leave the community in shock, emphasizing the randomness and brutality of the event. Greenwood deputies are urging anyone who might have been in the Pinehurst Subdivision between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on the night of the incident to come forward if they noticed anything unusual. Even the smallest detail can be crucial to the ongoing investigation.

For those who wish to remain anonymous, tips can be reported by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

Remembering Kasia Simmons

To add to the sorrow, it’s noteworthy that Kasia Simmons was familiar with the pain of losing a loved one to gun violence. She spoke out in 2020 about the shooting death of her younger brother, Kevern Simmons, a situation that bears a grievous parallel to her own fate.

As the investigation continues, the community rallies around the Simmons family, particularly those two young boys who displayed such bravery under the most heartbreaking of circumstances. The search for justice for Kasia Simmons is fervent, and the call for community support in piecing together the events of that tragic night remains strong.