Look Who it Was Random video

Hamilton pastor puts up billboards to find brother's killer

439 views · Published 28 March 2017 · 2:38 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2017 · News & Politics

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HAMILTON, Ohio (WKRC) - Shaquila Matthews can still smile when she talks about her older brother, Calvin. 

She focuses on how he lived his life, what kind of father he was to his daughters… and how much the family loved him.

"We had lots of plans for the summer to travel to Florida and family vacations and trips and finally get all our kids together for family pictures," Matthews said.

Those plans will never happened. In September 2016, Calvin Simmons was the victim of a robbery and shooting in his home on University Boulevard. 

Shaquila is used to being a leader. She is the pastor at Truth and Life Church in Hamilton. So Pastor Shaq, as everyone calls her, came up with billboards. There are two billboards in Hamilton which serve as a reminders of Calvin's unsolved murder.

"We just didn't want it to die or people just forget about it. We wanted to just continue to keep it in the forefront of our community," Matthews said.

For Pastor Shaq, forgiveness comes from the heart. It's a gift she is willing to give to the killers. She's hoping whoever killed Calvin will give her family the gift of closure.

"Right the wrong and turn yourself in. The family, we've forgiven you. You know, turn yourself in. We just want closure."

Pastor Shaq says this is not just about her family and her brother's homicide. There is a hashtag on the billboards that says "Peace over Hamilton". The pastor says this is also about speaking out against violent crime.

If you can help police solve this homicide, call Crime Stoppers 513-352-3040.

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