Police seek suspect after 2 brothers killed in Sanford home invasion

SANFORD, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Police say two people have been killed in a home invasion in Sanford.

An armed masked suspect entered the home on Hays Drive Monday night while two men and a woman were inside, according to authorities.  

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!" was how next door neighbor, Bert Herring described the sounds coming from the home, "four or five shots, I think."

Joseph Smith, 28, died at the house.  His brother, Roland Deloatch, 41, died at the hospital.  Police say the woman, identified as the mother of the two men, wasn't hurt.  The sister of the victims, Kizzy Specer, spoke lovingly of her two brothers. 

"Roland was funny, protective always a big brother," she said. "Joseph was full of life, and an aspiring rapper." 

Sanford police spokeswoman Bianca Gillett says they're working to figure out why the shooting happened and are looking to locate the suspect who's responsible for the killings.

"We don't have information regarding why this occurred," she said.  "That's why we're asking for the public's help to come forward with any information they may have."

Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeLine at 800-423-TIPS (8477) or go to Crimeline.org. Calls to crimeline stay anonymous and tips that  lead to solving a felony case could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.

No arrests had been made as of early Tuesday morning.