TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – A teenager who was robbed and dragged by a big SUV while trying to make a Facebook Marketplace sale has died from his injuries. The mother of Joaquin Simmons said he died Wednesday morning and the family wants justice.
The young man comes from a big family that dearly loves him. The family wants the suspects off the streets.
“He’s one of the kindest souls you’ll ever meet. He’s not a big guy. He’s a little guy and he’s just a sweetheart,” Joaquin Simmons’ uncle, Joe Garza, said.
Friends and family of Joaquin Simmons, also known as Wak, never left his hospital bedside. They are devastated over his death.
“We just hope they find them and they don’t hurt anyone else,” Garza said.
Garza said the three suspects robbed and dragged his nephew over a pair of shoes. Wak was trying to make a Facebook Marketplace sale when the suspects grabbed him and the shoes.
“He hardly ever met up in person and even with the sale, he met up at one of the designated meet-up spots by the University of Toledo. They wanted all his designer and all that. So, he felt safe to say, ‘Come to the house,’” Garza said. “He brought him to the house where he felt it wasn’t that big of a deal. They grabbed him by his hair and the shoes. He had a lot of hair. They went to grab him. They grabbed his hair with the shoes and not letting go.”
There were numerous witnesses. Witnesses took a picture of the suspect’s license plate and according to the police report, the suspects “sped down Mulberry near Streicher when the victim was pushed off the vehicle.”
Police said a 16-year-old was involved in the robbery and was questioned. But, that person was released and not charged.
“We’re just hoping to get some justice here,” Garza said.
Joaquin Simmons was just 18 years old and was supposed to graduate from Woodward High School this year.
A memorial will be held at Wilson Park Thursday at 5 p.m.
There will also be a fundraiser held for Joaquin Simmons. Details about the fundraiser can be seen below:
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This article was published by WTVG on 2025-04-02 18:21:00
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