Keith Agee, 20, has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting death of 18-year-old Brooklyn Sims, the mother of his child.
The shocking motive behind the crime emerged during the trial, revealing that Agee falsely believed Sims had given him a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
Sims was tragically shot to death while working at a Home Depot in Pensacola on August 11. Agee was promptly arrested on the day of the shooting.
His mother, Sheila Agee, 50, was later arrested in Washington County, Alabama, charged with murder for allegedly aiding her son in planning the crime.
According to authorities, Sheila, who worked with Sims at Home Depot, allegedly texted Keith the address of the store on the day of the shooting.
Text messages between mother and son, released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, indicated her involvement in the plot.
“As long as you don’t shoot me,” she allegedly wrote in a chilling exchange.
“The murder itself is unbelievable, but to know the mother knew about it and helped coordinate it is incomprehensible,” said Sheriff Chip W. Simmons of Escambia County in a statement about Keith’s actions and his mother’s alleged involvement.
Keith’s motive stemmed from a false belief that Sims had given him an STD. However, during the trial, evidence presented by the state proved that Sims did not have an STD.
“I know in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t matter, but we just wanted to give Miss Sims a little bit of dignity,” said Assistant State Attorney Bridgette Jensen during the court proceedings.
In statements made in court, Sims’ mother expressed her difficulty in forgiving Keith.
“I’m raising his daughter. That day, Casey lost her mother, her father, and her grandmother,” she shared. Sims’ friend, Tiyanna Thomas, spoke about the impact of Sims’ death, saying, “Every morning when I wake up, Brooklyn crosses my mind, and I cry because she didn’t deserve what happened to her.”
Sheila Agee is still awaiting trial on charges of first-degree murder and has pleaded not guilty. The shocking case has left a community in disbelief as it grapples with the tragic consequences of a false belief that led to a senseless act of violence.
