TAMPA, Fla. (Scripps News Tampa) — A Tampa rapper who was recently acquitted of murder was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly killing a pregnant mother.
Tampa Police arrested 25-year-old Billy Adams for first-degree murder and killing of an unborn child by injury to mother.
On Jan. 30, police said the mother was found dead next to a vehicle with a sleeping toddler inside. The 18-month-old child was not injured.
This photo provided by Shahlevi Sims shows 22-year-old Alana Sims. According to the Tampa Police Department, Alana Sims was found lying dead near her car in a New Tampa neighborhood late on Monday, Jan. 30. Her toddler was found sleeping in his car seat by police. (Shahlevi Sims via WFTS)
Officers were called to the 10700 block of Pictorial Park Dr. inside of the Easton Park subdivision around 10 p.m.
Shahlevi Sims said her daughter, 22-year-old Alana Sims, loved her son and was excited about having another baby.
“I want Alana to be remembered as a loving, caring person who dearly cherished her son. I want people to remember Alana as somebody special,” said Sims.
“I just praised God because that’s all we wanted to do was catch this monster.”
Tampa Police said Adams and Sims had a relationship, and officers believe Adams was the father of her unborn baby.
“It would appear that the motive is that he did not want to be in her life anymore and was not ready to have a child. Unfortunately, how it appears to us,” said Major Mike Stout with The Tampa Police Department.
Newly released court documents stated detectives discovered text messages between Adams and another woman. The other woman was upset over the victim’s pregnancy and sent a text to Adams saying, “I’m just so sad because I thought we was gonna have a real relationship at this point and now she’s pregnant and still here.”
Court records said Adams provided a false alibi denying he left his home the evening of the murder, but detectives recovered surveillance video near the crime scene. Adams later told police Sims pulled a gun on him and he grabbed it and shot her in the head in self-defense.
This Feb. 8, 2023 booking photo provided by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office shows Billy Adams, who is accused of killing Alana Sims and her unborn child. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
Adams also told police he threw the gun away after the shooting.
Tampa Police said recently Adams was acquitted of murder for a double homicide in 2020. Two men were found dead in a recording studio in Lutz.
Court records indicate the defense team argued Adams acted in self-defense. A jury found him not guilty on January 27. Tampa Police said three days later, he shot and killed Sims.
“What this defendant did is unimaginable. Our thoughts and support are with the family members of these crime victims. Since the night of the murders, we have worked closely with TPD to arrest this killer. While we respect the verdict of the jury in the prior case, we disagreed with it, and that is why we prosecuted him. We will continue to work with TPD to prosecute him for these latest crimes,” said State Attorney Susan S. Lopez.
Adams is being held without bond. His next court appearance will be Monday, February 13th.
This story was originally published Feb. 10 by WFTS in Tampa Bay, an E.W. Scripps Company.
