In a heartbreaking turn of events, a routine transaction on Facebook Marketplace spiraled into a violent robbery that claimed the life of 18-year-old Joaquin Simmons, a high school senior from Toledo, Ohio. What began as an ordinary Saturday afternoon on March 29, 2025, ended in a tragedy that has left a family shattered and a community grappling with grief. Simmons, known to his loved ones as “Wak,” was a young man with a passion for fashion, often turning to the online platform to sell clothes and sneakers. But this time, his attempt to sell a pair of Balenciaga sneakers in the 500 block of East Oakland turned deadly, exposing the hidden dangers that can lurk behind seemingly simple exchanges.
Simmons arrived at the meeting spot accompanied by a family member, eager to complete the sale. According to her account, the encounter took a troubling turn almost immediately. The prospective buyer began disputing the authenticity of the sneakers and haggling over the price, creating an uneasy atmosphere. Sensing something was off, she discreetly snapped a photo of the suspect’s vehicle and license plate—a decision that would soon prove fateful. The buyer noticed her action, and in an instant, the situation escalated from tense to terrifying.
As the confrontation unfolded, the suspect’s passenger lunged forward and grabbed the sneakers from Simmons’ hands. Determined not to let his property go without a fight, the teenager clung to the shoes, engaging in a desperate tug-of-war. The suspects, however, had no intention of backing down. With the car engine revving, they began to drive off, dragging Simmons alongside the vehicle as he refused to release his grip. What happened next was a scene of unimaginable horror, recounted by a witness who watched the tragedy unfold.
The passenger, enraged by Simmons’ resistance, began pummeling him with fists, yanking his hair, and then delivering a brutal blow to his head with the butt of a handgun. As the car accelerated—reaching speeds estimated between 70 and 80 miles per hour—the assailant shoved Simmons out, sending him crashing onto the pavement. The impact left him motionless, a sight that spurred his father into action. Barefoot and frantic, he sprinted two blocks to reach his son, but the damage was already done. Paramedics rushed Simmons to a nearby hospital, where he was listed in critical condition with a traumatic brain injury. Despite the efforts of medical staff, his family announced days later that he had succumbed to his injuries, a devastating loss just weeks after he had celebrated his 18th birthday.
The Toledo Police Department has launched a full investigation into the incident, but the three suspects involved remain at large, their identities shrouded in mystery. Authorities briefly detained a 16-year-old in connection with the case, but he was released after questioning, leaving investigators with few leads. The family member’s photograph of the suspect’s vehicle offers a glimmer of hope, though police have yet to publicly identify the car or its occupants. Meanwhile, the community is left reeling, mourning a young man who was set to graduate from Woodward High School in just a few months. Instead of preparing for a cap-and-gown ceremony, his loved ones are now arranging a funeral, their dreams for his future replaced by an aching void.
Simmons’ story is a stark reminder of the risks tied to online marketplaces, where convenience can sometimes come at a steep cost. His family described him as a vibrant soul with a keen eye for style, someone who saw Facebook Marketplace as a way to share his love for fashion while earning a little extra money. That passion, however, made him a target in a world where anonymity can embolden criminals. As police continue their search for justice, the Simmons family clings to memories of a young man whose life was cut short in a senseless act of violence, a tragedy that has sparked calls for greater caution among those navigating the digital marketplace. For now, Toledo mourns, and a father’s barefoot run stands as a haunting symbol of a desperate attempt to save a son who could not be saved.