Former Oklahoma Gymnast Sims Shot to Death by Purse Snatcher

RICHARDSON, Texas —  A three-time Big Eight champion gymnast was fatally shot while pursuing purse-snatchers from a suburban Dallas shopping center, police said.

Glenn Michael Sims, 25, of Garland, Tex., was pronounced dead on arrival at Richardson Medical Center at about 4:45 p.m. Saturday.

Sheila Ann Hill, 17, and Sylvanna Quiroga, 23, both of Dallas, were jailed Sunday for investigation of murder and burglary of a motor vehicle, police Sgt. M.H. Sandlin said.

Hill, who police said pointed a gun at a Richardson police officer trying to arrest her, also was held for investigation of attempted murder.

No bail was set pending arraignment of the women.

Sims, who competed for the University of Oklahoma, won the Big Eight title on the parallel bars in 1983, and the pommel horse and the high bar in 1984, said Greg Buwick, Oklahoma’s gymnastics coach.

Sims was 11th overall in the 1984 NCAA championships and appeared in the film “American Anthem” with Olympic gymnast Mitch Gaylord.

Sims was fatally shot after a car chase with two women, who had grabbed a woman’s purse from her car at Promenade Village shopping center, police said.

Sandlin said Sims chased the women to a construction area near Central Expressway. The cars drove over a 10-inch ledge, dodged construction barrels, then stopped just before a steep drop-off.

As the two women got out of their car, Sims ran toward them and was shot once in the heart at point-blank range, Sandlin said.