Sanford shooting: Police chief urges community to help; 'Speak up!'
Clues, public help needed in hunt for suspect in Sanford shooting
A $5,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of a suspect or suspects in connection to a weekend mass shooting in Sanford, Florida. At least 8 people were hurt in the Sept. 19 shooting during a family gathering, after someone began firing into the crowd, police said.
SANFORD, Fla. - Minutes after Sanford police officers responded to reports of a shooting during a family gathering over the weekend, officers found at least a half-dozen people with gunshot wounds, a "plethora" of vehicles driving away from the area, and a number of potential witnesses who did not want to talk to anyone about what happened.
That's according to 14 pages of incident reports from police officers who responded to the mass shooting scene. Sanford police released those documents on Monday afternoon.
'Speak up!': Sanford Police Chief urges community's help finding shooting suspects
What they're saying:
Sanford Police Chief Cecil E. Smith urged anyone who knows something to say something.
"People know what took place. People know who these shooters are. People need to be more involved," he said.
"We are one big community. So I'm saying to the people here in Sanford, those who know what's going on: 'Speak up!' The last thing you want to do is have this happen to your family members and then somebody sits back and doesn't say anything. It's imperative that you participate in this and make sure we get these individuals off the street."
What we know about the victims
What we know:
Clues, public help needed in hunt for suspect in Sanford shooting
A $5,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of a suspect or suspects in connection to a weekend mass shooting in Sanford, Florida. At least 8 people were hurt in the Sept. 19 shooting during a family gathering, after someone began firing into the crowd, police said.
The Sanford Police Department on Monday also shared an update regarding the number of people shot or hurt:
- So far, a total of 8 people have been hurt during the shooting and aftermath
- Six people were shot
- One person was hurt by broken glass
- One person suffered a "graze wound," police said
- Three people remain hospitalized: 2 in critical condition, 1 listed in stable condition
No suspect or suspects ID'd, more clues needed
What you can do:
Police have not shared any details about a potential suspect or suspects connected to the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sanford Police Department or Crimeline:
- Call Sanford Police: 407-668-5199
- File an online report, here.
- Crimeline: 800 423-TIPS (8477)
What we know about the shooting
The shooting happened Saturday night, Sept. 19, shortly before 10 p.m. near 10th Street and Poplar Avenue. Police said several people were attending a family gathering on Poplar Avenue when a suspect or suspects began shooting into the crowd of people.
The Source: A spokesperson for the Sanford Police Department shared 14 pages of incident reports submitted by officers who responded to the Sept. 19 shooting scene with FOX 35 on Monday, and shared more details on the victims in the shooting. Additional information pulled from a Sept. 20 news release from the Sanford Police Department.