Prominent Atlanta man fatally shot in his front yard

ATLANTA (AP) - Police are searching for a suspect after a well-known community member was shot to death in his southwest Atlanta front yard.

Multiple news media reports that 70-year-old Barney Simms was found dead in his yard Saturday night with his front door unlocked and black Lexus missing.

Simms was commended twice by the State of Georgia’s Secretary of State office as an outstanding Georgia citizen. He was retired from the Atlanta Housing Authority.

He served as chairman of several organizations including the Fulton County Division of Family and Children Services advisory board and the Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA.

Antioch Baptist Church said on its website that Simms has been a member since 1969.

Police have not made any arrests, but found have found his missing car.