Today is Monday, December 28, 2020.

On this day in 1987, former military officer Ronald Jean Simmons went on a killing spree in Russellville, Arkansas.

Inside his home, police discovered Simmons had murdered 14 of his own family members.

Welcome to Today in True Crime, a Spotify original from Parkast. Due to the graphic nature of this killer's crimes,

listener discretion is advised. This episode includes discussions of violence, sexual abuse, and incest

that some people may find offensive. We advise extreme caution for children under 13.

Today, we're covering the crimes of Ronald Jean Simmons. Let's go back to

Arkansas on December 28, 1987. Morning dew clung to the holiday decorations still strung up on city lamp posts.

It was just days after Christmas, and many in Russellville, Arkansas, planned their resolutions for the new year.

But Ronald Gene Simmons decided to change his life a few days early.

On the morning of December 28th, Simmons took his son's car and drove to the closest Walmart.

He purchased a handgun, loaded it, and continued to his next destination, Peel, Eddie, and Gibbons law firm.

There he found 24-year-old Kathy Kendrick working reception. Simmons knew her as a former

coworker who'd rejected his romantic advances. A surge of anger bubbled inside him as he stared at Kendrick. Without saying a word, he drew his new pistol and fired four shots into her head.

Then he left the firm, got back in his car, and continued to his next crime scene.

Kendrick was pronounced dead later that day.

By that time, Simmons was standing inside Taylor Oil Company,

the workplace of his former boss, Russell Taylor.

He shot Taylor in the chest twice,

when Jim Chaffin, a part-time employee, tried to intervene,

Simmons shot him through the eye.

Taylor managed to survive, but Chaffin was killed instantly.

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