A Minnesota man has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly stabbing his brother to death over a dispute about kitchen cleanliness. Javontae Simms, 23, was arrested following the fatal stabbing that occurred in their Minneapolis home on Friday, which police say was the culmination of an argument about cleaning up the kitchen.
The Argument and Fatal Stabbing
According to the probable cause statement reviewed by Law&Crime, Simms and his brother got into a heated argument in their home when Simms became upset that his brother had not cleaned the kitchen to his satisfaction. The brother’s girlfriend told police that the argument escalated quickly when Simms returned with a knife, reportedly shoving his brother and calling him derogatory names. A physical altercation followed, with both women present in the house confirming that Simms was left standing in the kitchen holding a bloody knife. His brother was heard saying, “[H]e just stabbed me.”
Police arrived at the home around 3 a.m. to find Simms’ brother unconscious on the floor with a wound to his chest. The girlfriend of the victim had applied pressure to the wound in an attempt to save him. Despite lifesaving efforts from the officers and paramedics, the victim was pronounced dead at 3:32 a.m.
Simms’ Actions and Statements
After the stabbing, Simms was found hiding under the stairs in the basement of the home using a wooden panel. He was arrested by police and taken into custody. During questioning, Simms claimed that he couldn’t remember what happened and described blacking out during the altercation. He admitted to arguing with his brother about cleaning up the kitchen and retrieving the knife. However, Simms said that he intended to “fake” stab his brother, but his brother allegedly “charged” at him and ran into the knife.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Simms was charged with second-degree murder and is currently being held in the Hennepin County Jail on a $1 million bond. He was scheduled for a court appearance on Monday.
This tragic incident highlights how quickly disputes over seemingly minor issues can escalate into violence, leading to devastating consequences. The death of Simms’ brother has left their family and the community in shock, and the legal proceedings will continue to unfold as investigators work to clarify the details surrounding the altercation.
