DETROIT – Back on what was supposed to be a day of celebration -- July 4th -- the mother of Martez Simmons found out her only child was gunned down.
It was just after 9 p.m. on Independence Day and the 26-year-old was on his front porch on Wykes on Detroit's west side with one of his sons when he was confronted by a man with a gun.
Simmons quickly grabbed his 2-year-old son and ran away. When he fell the man caught up to him, stood over him and pulled the trigger. The shooter took off in a gray 2003 or 2004 Ford Focus.
His aunt can't believe someone would do that in front of a child.
"I can't imagine how someone could be so cold-hearted to kill someone in front of a 2-year-old," said Lasonya McKeithen. "He was protecting his 2-year-old. That night I could have lost more than one nephew."
Simmons also had a 1-year-old son. Two young boys are now growing up without their father and they are too young to understand why.
"They are looking for their dad. They're going to the stairs, calling Tez. They are looking," said Melvin Wrack, Simmons' cousin.
"He was looking to be around his kids' life, not this short-lived life," said Tanya Simmons, his mother.
The family is hoping someone will come forward to help find the killer.
"All I am asking is that somebody come forward with any information on what happened to my son. This has really taken a toll on me," said Tanya.
A $2,500 reward is being offered to anyone with information which leads to an arrest. If the tip comes in tonight, the reward is $3,5000.
Call 800-SPEAK-UP. Tips can remain anonymous.
Special section: Searching 4 Justice with Crime Stoppers of Michigan