William Simmons

A 69-year-old Chest Township man was arrested by state police Thursday after allegedly killing his wife when she announced her plans to leave him.

William Edward Simmons is accused of shooting Rebecca A. Simmons, 66, twice with a shotgun. He was taken into custody shortly after the incident and charged with murder, aggravated assault – extreme indifference and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Bail has been denied and he is being held at the Cambria County Prison.

Cambria County District Attorney Greg Neugebauer said the couple had been married for several decades.

State police were dispatched to the Simmons’ home on the 300 block of Grozanick Road after Rebecca called Cambria County 911 at 3:15 p.m. stating that her husband shot her in the back and she was dying and needed help, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

A muffled shot could be heard during the 911 call, then William Simmons could be heard on the phone stating he was going to kill himself now, the report states.

While police were on the way to the home, an officer called Simmons, who told the officer that everything was fine and he had just shot and killed his wife, the affidavit states. Simmons told police that his wife was dead in the furnace room.

When police arrived at the home, they found Simmons on his porch where he was taken into custody.

During an interview at the state police barracks in Ebensburg, Simmons said he and his wife were arguing when she told him of her plans to leave and get a new place to live.

He stated he shot her once with a 12-gauge single shotgun and she went into the coal/furnace room and shut the door. Simmons said he tried to open the door but she was holding it shut. At that time, he shot the middle of the door. He then opened the door and saw her lying on the floor with the house phone next to her. Simmons said he never checked to see if she was alive, assuming that she was already deceased.

Simmons said he picked up the phone and called his daughter and told her he had just killed her mother.

An autopsy conducted Friday morning by the Cambria County Coroner’s office confirmed Rebecca Simmons died from two gunshot wounds to the lower torso and the manner of death was ruled homicide.

A preliminary hearing for William Simmons is set for March 5 before Magisterial District Judge Michael Zungali.