Annapolis police search for suspect after deadly shooting near bus stop

In the United States, Annapolis police are facing increasing pressure to address rising violence after a recent shooting incident took place near a school bus stop on March 19, 2025. This incident resulted in the death of 36-year-old John Simms Jr. and left an 11-year-old child injured. Police indicated that the shooting happened around 7:40 a.m. in the 100 block of Clay Street, an area populated with children at the time. Roscoe Jerome Jones, aged 31 and from Oxon Hill, Maryland, has been identified as the suspect in the shooting and is now wanted on murder and assault charges. The police have urged the community to come together to assist in their efforts to capture Jones, who has a known violent criminal history and is regarded as armed and dangerous. Annapolis Police Chief Ed Jackson expressed his commitment to ensuring public safety during this time. Following the incident, local residents voiced their concerns about the dangers of gun violence, particularly regarding the safety of children. Tanya Watson, an Annapolis resident, shared her frustrations about the escalating violence, calling attention to the grievous effect such incidents have on innocent bystanders, especially children. Police statistics reveal that this is part of a larger trend of gun violence in Annapolis. In 2025 alone, there have already been nine gun violence incidents, including two homicides. In the previous year, 2024, the city experienced a significant spike in gun violence with reports of 30 incidents. The community's anxiety underscores an urgent need for dialogue and proactive measures to address the underlying issues contributing to gun-related crimes in the area. The Annapolis police department has scheduled a community meeting aimed at discussing these recent violent events and formulating strategies to combat future occurrences, demonstrating the importance of community involvement in public safety matters.