SHOOTING-AGGRAVATED ASSAULT- Borough of Clayton
On Thursday 9/21/17 at around 9:40 PM, Clayton Police received a report of multiple gun shots in the area of the 200 block of S. Pearl St. Police responded to the area and searched extensively for any sign of criminal activity but were unable to locate a victim or signs of a crime. The following morning with daylight available the Clayton Detectives received information that there was in fact a victim that had been shot at but was not hit. Detectives were able to locate shell casings in a side yard of a residence and discovered bullet rounds lodged into an innocent bystander’s residence. No one had been injured in the shooting.
Clayton Police then conducted an extensive investigation in which they were able to identify the suspect as Carl Simms a 43 year old man who resides on the 100 block of Williams St. Glassboro. Carl Simms was considered armed and dangerous and the Gloucester County SWAT team was used to execute a body warrant on Carl Simms on Friday 9/22/17 at approximately 11:45PM. Mr. Simms was arrested without incident. He was lodged in the Salem County jail on a “no bail warrant”.
On Saturday 9/23/17, at approximately 7AM Clayton Detectives obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s residence. The detectives seized over 100 grams of marijuana, prescription pills, drug packing materials, digital scales, and approximately $1,800. in cash. The suspect Carl Simms was charged with 2C:5-1A(1) Criminal Attempt, 2C:12-1B(1), Aggravated Assault, 2C:39-5B(1), Unlawful possession of a handgun, 2C:39-7B(1) Convicted felon unlawfully possessing a handgun, 2C:35-
5b(11) Distribution of marijuana over 1 ounce but less than 5 pounds, 2C: 36-2 Possession of drug paraphernalia, 2C:35-10.5a(1), Unauthorized distribution of prescription legend drugs, 2C:35-10.5e(1) Unauthorized possession of prescription legend drugs, 2C:35-10a(3) Possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana, 2C:35-10c Failure to surrender CDS to law enforcement. Additional charges are pending. The suspect remains in Salem County Jail awaiting detention hearing.
The Clayton Police Department is requesting anyone with information about the shooting to contact Det. Jackson Harrington or Det. Michael Foley at 856-881- 2301 or email a tip at tips@claytonnj.com. The Clayton Police would also request any residents who have surveillance video in and around the area of Chestnut and Pearl St. to review their footage. Anyone who has video footage of unknown pedestrians or unknown motor vehicles parking or walking in that area between 9PM and 10PM on Thursday 9/21/17, are asked to contact the police.
All residents in the borough are also encouraged to register their surveillance equipment with the police department. This can be done in person, by phone, or by email.