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Suspect named in fatal home invasion robbery

Detectives seek a Dunedin man and others.

By JONATHAN ABEL, Times Staff Writer
Published September 21, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT Police are seeking Joseph Lee Simmons, 21, of Dunedin. Simmons stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 160 pounds. Joseph Shaw, 22, died in the shooting.

CLEARWATER - Police on Thursday named a suspect in a fatal home invasion robbery this week.

Joseph Lee Simmons, 21, of Dunedin and up to three other people are wanted in connection with the shooting, which killed a man and wounded a woman, police said.

The shooting took place at 1307 Flagler Drive about 3:40 a.m. Tuesday. Robbers forced their way into the house, and at least one of them started shooting.

Joseph Shaw, 22, died in the shooting, and Shawanda Larry, 39, was injured. Larry has since been released from the hospital.

Detectives think the incident was drug-related, but police spokeswoman Elizabeth Daly-Watts said it was unclear how or whether Simmons knew the victims. As of Thursday, no arrest warrant had been issued for Simmons, but police said he should be considered armed and dangerous.

Simmons has a record of numerous drug arrests. At the time of the shooting, Simmons was awaiting trial on charges of prowling, cocaine possession, cocaine sale and resisting arrest.

Jonathan Abel can be reached at jabel@sptimes.com or 727 445-4157.

Fast facts

To help

Police are seeking Joseph Lee Simmons, 21, of Dunedin in the shooting of Joseph Shaw of Clearwater. Simmons stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 160 pounds. Anyone with information on his whereabouts was asked to called the Clearwater police hotline at (727) 562-4080 and press 2 to speak to detectives working on the case.

[Last modified September 20, 2007, 21:48:21]