Simmons returned to his Bloomington home, set it on fire and drove away, the complaint said.
Co-workers went to Simmons’ residence and discovered him parked nearby, and they flagged down police who were responding to the area. Officers arrested Simmons.
He had blood on his clothing, his face was covered in soot, and his facial hair and eyebrows were singed.
Simmons told investigators that Goodermont “was a witch and he did this to stand up for the babies being killed and sacrificed with witchcraft,” the complaint said.
He said he threw gasoline on Goodermont and lit it with his lighter. Police asked where he got the gas and he replied, “I got the gasoline at my house. So, yeah, it’s premeditated.” He said he burned his house “because there was paranormal activity going on there.”
Last summer, Simmons was the subject of a petition for civil commitment and a court document said he was hospitalized for psychosis and receiving treatment at the time.
No attorney for Simmons, who is being held in the Ramsey County jail, was listed in the court record as of Wednesday. He is charged with second-degree intentional murder.