Sanford’s police chief seeks help after rash of shootings

After a week that saw six shootings in the Sanford area, which left one man dead and a 16-year-old injured, the city’s police chief asked the community for help.

“Frustration does not accurately depict my feelings regarding the shootings that have taken place in the Sanford community this past week,” Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith said Friday. “… It’s up to the community to decide together that this type of violence will not happen — be acceptable — here in Sanford. Those who know what happened last night need to speak up.”

Some of the shootings are related, he said. Detectives are looking at the others to see if there are connections there as well.

The wave of violence began Saturday with a drive-by shooting reported at Scott Drive and Sterling Court, Smith said. Another shooting was reported at the same location hours later, early Sunday. No injuries were reported.

On Sunday evening, residents on Hughes Avenue reported they heard gunshots. Officers found a parked car that was hit by bullets, he said. Minutes later, officers found a stolen Mercedes at the Overlook at Lake Monroe and arrested two people, Smith said.

Two minutes after midnight, gunshots rang out again on Little Fox Circle. One of the bullets hit a 16-year-old sleeping in his bed, the chief said. The teen was struck in the head. He survived.

Monday brought more shootings in Bookertown, part of unincorporated Seminole County near Sanford. On Thursday night, Toby Martin, 28, was fatally shot on Willow Avenue. Smith urged anyone with information about the killing to speak with police, even anonymously.

Police have increased patrols in some parts of town, and are working with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and prosecutors, he said.

“This violence is senseless, and it needs to come to an end,” Smith said.

Anyone with more information about any of the shootings can call Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477.