NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) — Rutta Simon wishes she could spend this Mother’s Day weekend with her mom, Freweni Gebremiel.
“There’s nothing like your mother,” said Simon, tearfully.
The people of Nashville knew Gabremichael as ‘Winnie’.
On May 7, 2006, Winnie’s body was found in a ditch near Whiteset Road. He was shot and his body was set on fire.
“Whoever did this, they took a precious person from me. She didn’t deserve it. What they did was wrong,” Simon said.
It’s been 16 years and Vinnie’s killer is still roaming free. Simon and his family members are seeking answers. They are hoping that the detectives will find the person responsible for shooting and killing Winnie.
“I really need the help of the community to come forward and help me solve this. I can’t do this myself. The family really needs justice. Even if we can’t bring him back, at least we can get justice for him and some sort of closure about what happened and why and who did it,” Simon explained.
On May 7, 2022, fans of Winnie gathered in Richland Park for a vigil for the 34-year-old whose life was cut short.
“We came to this country when I was young to chase the American dream and to end it like this, it’s devastating,” Simon said as she was two years old when she, her mother and brother came to the United States. left America. East African country Eritrea. After moving to Nashville, Winnie opened his own downtown coffee shop on Second Avenue.
A reward of $11,000 is offered to anyone who provides information about Vinnie’s death.
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