Paralyzed Dallas repairman adjusting to return home, police still searching for shooter
DALLAS - A popular East Dallas A/C repairman is adjusting to life at home in a wheelchair after spending two months in the hospital.
Dallas police have not yet found the gunman responsible for shooting Jesse Simmons, leaving him paralyzed.
Simmons admits coming back to his home in a wheelchair has its share of challenges.
"I broke my number one rule twice, I slipped off the sideboard onto the floor," he said. "Remembered all our training, got it all handled."
Despite the adjustments, home is a welcome sight.
"It is very nice to come home," said Simmons.
The repairman was shot and paralyzed the morning of August 3rd.
Simmons' Ring camera alerted him that someone was breaking into his work vehicle.
"Can I help you?" Simmons can be heard saying in the video.
He was shot when he confronted the burglar, injuring his kidney and spine.
Simmons continues physical therapy three days a week.
"They are just trying to get me to be self-sufficient in a wheelchair I've got to be because [my wife] will not always be right by my side like she has for the last 3 months This is my knight in shining armor," he said.
The couple say the outpouring of support in East Dallas is making the transition easier.
"The community support has been just beyond anything I would have ever imagined," Simmons said.
Simmons' brother offered $10,000 in addition to the $5,000 max reward from Crime Stoppers, but still no arrests have been made in the case.
"Hopefully one of his friends will say, ‘Hey, I want some money,’" Simmons said.
Dallas Police put out additional surveillance images that showed the shooter checking the locks on a neighbor's car.
A detective said at the time he had a mustache and a beard, and was about 5'8" or 5'9" and about 160 to 170 pounds.
Alison Simmons worries that if no one turns him in the gunman could hurt or kill someone else.
"We struggle every day to get better, he is living his life to its full extent and we struggle. I really wish they could find him," Simmons said.
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Simmons says his A/C and appliance business is still running with one technician and the help of his daughter.
"The one thing I asked God when I was lying in my front yard, I don't care if I can walk, let me hold my grandkids and my wife," Simmons said. "He answered that prayer, now I am asking him, please let me fight to walk."
If you have any information that could help police call Dallas Police Detective Marc Tucker directly at 214-671-3621 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 877-373-TIPS.
There is up to a $15,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.