The 2023 Escambia County Home Depot murder case reached its conclusion Wednesday with the conviction of Keith Agee, 20, for the first-degree premeditated murder of 18-year-old Brooklyn Sims, the mother of his two-year-old daughter. Agee received a mandatory life sentence without parole, marking the end of a tragic chapter for the Sims family and the community.
The Fatal Shooting and Subsequent Arrest
The chilling events unfolded on August 11, 2023, inside the Home Depot on Davis Highway in Pensacola, Florida. Sims, a contract employee at the store, was confronted by Agee in an aisle and shot seven times, resulting in her death at the scene. Shortly after the shooting, Agee contacted law enforcement and was apprehended outside Mellow Mushroom on Bayou Boulevard.
Premeditation and the Role of Sheila Agee
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office released text messages exchanged between Keith Agee and his mother, Sheila Agee, leading up to the murder. These messages revealed a disturbing plan to kill Sims, with Sheila Agee allegedly playing a key role in coordinating the crime. She, too, is facing charges of first-degree premeditated murder and awaits trial.
Agee’s Testimony and the STD Claim
During his trial, Keith Agee took the stand, attempting to refute the premeditation charge. He testified that he hadn’t initially intended to kill Sims but had driven 90 minutes from Alabama to the Escambia County Home Depot after receiving a positive STD test result shortly after being intimate with her. He claimed he confronted Sims about the STD, and only became enraged and opened fire when she turned her back on him.
Revealing the Truth: Sims’ Medical Records
Following the guilty verdict, State Attorney Bridgette Myers Jensen presented compelling evidence that contradicted Agee’s STD claim. Text messages from Sheila Agee’s phone, including a picture of Sims’ medical records from an August 5th doctor’s appointment, confirmed that Sims did not have an STD. This revelation further solidified the prosecution’s case and exposed the fabricated motive behind the murder.
The Judge’s Remarks and Agee’s Apology
The judge, addressing the court after the verdict, characterized the crime as a “textbook definition of premeditated murder,” emphasizing the irony of Agee’s rage being based on a false accusation. Agee himself expressed remorse and sorrow, apologizing to the Sims family while acknowledging the irreversibility of his actions and the lifelong burden of his decision.
A Mother’s Grief and the Impact on a Family
Cornelia Sims, Brooklyn’s mother, delivered a powerful statement expressing the devastating impact of her daughter’s murder on her family. She highlighted the multiple roles Brooklyn played – daughter, sister, aunt, and friend – and emphasized the profound loss they have suffered. While stating she does not hate Agee, she expressed her inability to forgive him, particularly as she now faces the responsibility of raising his daughter, Kacey, who lost both parents and a grandmother in this tragedy.
The Ongoing Legal Proceedings for Sheila Agee
As Keith Agee begins his life sentence, the legal proceedings against Sheila Agee continue. She remains in Escambia County Jail awaiting her trial, scheduled for February, where she will face charges for her alleged involvement in the premeditated murder of Brooklyn Sims.
Justice Served, but Scars Remain
The conviction of Keith Agee brings a sense of closure to the Escambia County Home Depot murder case. However, the profound grief and lasting impact on the Sims family serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and the importance of seeking justice for victims. The upcoming trial of Sheila Agee will further unravel the complexities of this tragic event and determine the extent of her accountability.
