Anatomy of Murder – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Aisle 52 (Brooklyn Sims)
Release Date: October 28, 2025
Hosts: Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi & Scott Weinberger
Guests: Bridget Jensen & Trey Myers (Pensacola District Attorney’s Office)
Case: The March 2023 murder of Brooklyn Sims at a Home Depot in Pensacola, FL

Overview:

This episode explores the intricate and tragic murder of 18-year-old Brooklyn Sims, shot and killed in a Pensacola Home Depot in 2023. Hosts Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi and Scott Weinberger break down how a seemingly random public shooting was quickly revealed to be a targeted killing. Through detailed interviews with the prosecutors and examination of text messages, the episode uncovers a stunning family conspiracy—the orchestration of Brooklyn’s murder not only by her ex-boyfriend, but also by his own mother. The episode exposes themes of manipulation, domestic violence, and the devastating impact of rumors and false narratives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Shooting: Initial Chaos & Investigation

• Incident:

  • On March 30, 2023, gunshots erupted at a busy Home Depot, causing chaos as customers and staff sought cover and called 911 ([04:02]–[04:23]).
  • Police arrived to reports of an active shooter but quickly determined only one person was directly targeted: Brooklyn Sims ([06:20], [08:01]).

• Victim:

  • Brooklyn Sims, 18, had just graduated high school and was a mother to a two-year-old ([08:22]).
  • Described as a devoted daughter, mother, and friend ([08:22]–[08:52]).

• Details of Crime:

  • Brooklyn was shot at least seven times at point-blank range ([06:42]), with evidence suggesting the shooter went straight to her ([07:17]).
  • "It was clear that he was on a mission to take the life of Brooklyn Sims." – Trey Myers ([08:10]).

• Break in Case:

  • Witnesses, store surveillance, and traffic cameras helped police rapidly identify the shooter and his vehicle ([10:23]).

The Killer: Keith Agee

• Identification:

  • Gunman identified as Keith Agee, 20, Brooklyn’s ex-boyfriend and the father of her daughter ([10:58]–[11:18]).

• Relationship History:

  • Volatile, on-again-off-again relationship with Brooklyn. He wasn't a regular presence in their daughter's life ([11:31]–[11:48]).
  • "He played almost no role in raising her." – Scott Weinberger ([11:31]).

• Manhunt and Surrender:

  • Agee dumped his weapon by the roadside and then, feeling lost, called 911 to surrender ([13:03], [15:23], [17:06]).
  • Notable moment: Tension during his surrender at a crowded movie theater, with officers concerned about possible "suicide by cop" scenario ([16:37]–[17:06]).
  • "He placed his cell phone on the ground. He didn't have anything in his hands. I believe he took his shirt off as well in an effort to make sure that they did not shoot him." – Trey Myers ([17:18])

Motive: Rumors, Jealousy, and a Mother’s Influence

• Superficial Motive:

  • Agee believed Brooklyn had given him an STD—a rumor that turned out to be false ([21:04], [30:17]).
  • "Keith Agee, we found out later, actually did not get an STD from Brooklyn. Brooklyn tested negative." – Bridget Jensen ([30:17]).

• Deeper Manipulation:

  • Examination of Agee’s phone revealed a string of texts with his mother, Sheila Agee, stoking anger and fueling the plan ([20:19]–[22:14]).
  • "Her text messages encouraged her son to not just confront Brooklyn, but to take his revenge." – Anasiga Nicolasi ([22:34]).

• Sheila Agee’s Role:

  • Sheila, Brooklyn’s supervisor, suggested Keith commit the murder at Brooklyn’s workplace and sent him the exact address ([23:51]).
  • Sheila was present on-site during the murder.

• Effort to Avoid Blame:

  • Sheila initially denied and tried to deflect responsibility in interviews; later evidence (including her wiping text messages) indicated deliberate cover-up ([24:51]–[26:39]).
  • When confronted:
    "What was interesting is when they received her phone and did a download on her phone, she had deleted that whole conversation." – Bridget Jensen ([26:32]) "Police were facing one of the strangest family dramas they'd ever seen. A mother and her own son pointing fingers at each other." – Scott Weinberger ([27:29])

• Text Exchanges (Paraphrased/Quoted):

  • Sheila belittled and pressured Keith, called him names, told him not to worry about his child, and provided Brooklyn’s location ([22:41]–[23:51], [29:15]):
    • "She was calling him names, telling him if he didn’t come do it, he was an MF bitch..." – Trey Myers ([22:41])
    • "You basically put these things in motion... you set that girl up to be killed." – Scott Weinberger to Sheila ([29:54])

Legal Proceedings: The Case and Trials

• Evidence:

  • Security footage, DNA on weapon, witness testimony, and the damning text messages were the backbone of both prosecutions ([31:12]–[33:45]).

• Keith Agee’s Defense:

  • At trial, Keith admitted to the killing but claimed he "snapped" in the moment, minimizing claims of premeditation ([34:05]–[35:04]):

    • "I was enraged until I arrived on aisle 52. When I got to aisle 52, seeing Brooklyn, all sort of a sense to... brought me back down to earth." – Keith Agee ([34:18])

  • Prosecutors pointed out the planning and Sheila’s persistent encouragement ([35:26]):

    • "This man started talking about killing Brooklyn almost two hours prior... If that’s not premeditation, I don’t know what is." – Trey Myers ([35:26])

• Outcomes:

  • Keith Agee convicted of first-degree premeditated murder ([37:10]).
  • First trial of Sheila Agee ended in a mistrial due to a distracted juror ([38:29]–[39:12]).
  • Second trial: Sheila found guilty of first-degree murder (as principal to murder), both she and Keith sentenced to life without parole ([40:41], [41:05]).

Aftermath & Reflection

• Impact:

  • Brooklyn’s death orphaned her daughter, now raised by Brooklyn’s family ([41:22]–[41:55]).
  • Both families destroyed—a promising young woman lost, her killer and his mother incarcerated for life ([41:22]–[41:42]).

• Memorable Insight:

  • "A single false story, one built on emotion, jealousy and misinformation, can take control of everything... a rumor became motive. A lie became lethal." – Scott Weinberger ([42:33])

• Domestic Violence Awareness:

  • The family released balloons for Brooklyn in her memory and to highlight how rapidly domestic violence can escalate ([43:28]).
  • Episode released during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Sheila’s Role:

  • "She did everything short of putting a gun in his hand." – Scott Weinberger ([23:02])
  • "You set that girl up to be killed." – Scott Weinberger to Sheila ([29:58])
  • "Keith Agee used a gun. Sheila Agee used her words as an equally powerful and destructive weapon." – Anasiga Nicolasi ([43:28])

• On Narrative Control:

  • "What happened to Brooklyn Sims... shows how a single false story, one built on emotion, jealousy and misinformation, can take control of everything." – Scott Weinberger ([42:33])

• On the Aftermath:

  • "This little girl does not have either one of her parents." – Trey Myers ([41:55])

• On Premeditation:

  • "If that’s not premeditation, I don’t know what is." – Trey Myers ([35:26])
  • "The content is sickening in its ruthlessness to read." – Anasiga Nicolasi ([43:28])

Timestamps for Critical Segments

• The Shooting & Police Response: [03:56]–[08:22]
• Identification of Keith Agee: [10:58]–[11:18]
• Keith’s Surrender: [13:03], [15:23]–[17:18]
• Mother’s Manipulation Revealed (Texts): [20:19]–[23:51], [29:15]–[29:58]
• Legal Proceedings/Evidence: [31:12]–[33:45]
• Keith’s Testimony/Claim of Heat of Passion: [34:05]–[35:04]
• Sheila’s Trials/Mistrial Detail: [38:29]–[39:12], [40:49]
• Sentencing and Family Impact: [41:05]–[41:55]
• Domestic Violence Reflection & Narrative Control: [42:33]–[43:28]

Concluding Thoughts

Themes:

• The psychological and emotional factors driving a targeted killing.
• How “narrative control”—a false rumor, toxic family influence, and lack of intervention—can escalate a volatile situation to murder.
• The enduring damage left on families and communities when violence erupts from jealousy, misunderstanding, and manipulation.

Final Reflection:
Brooklyn Sims’s tragic murder illustrates how words and actions—especially when fueled by rumors and reinforced by those we trust—can lead to devastating consequences. The episode serves as a call to recognize the warning signs of domestic violence and the vital role of truth in preventing escalation.

For more: The hosts provide a link to specific text exchanges and the prosecution’s closing argument on the AOM website, highlighting the ruthless, calculated nature of the crime.