A 15-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a man who was trying to sell AirPods near a Sanford home.
On Wednesday, August 21, the Sanford Police Department arrested Dra’shawn Williams, 15, for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of 22-year-old Brandon Leo on Saturday, July 20.
On the night of the shooting, at around 9:30 p.m., SPD officers responded to the 1800 block of W 3rd Street in reference to a shooting incident that occurred in front of a residence. Upon arrival, they observed a pickup truck that was partially submerged in a nearby retention pond.
The police department stated that a man, later identified a Brandon Leo, was located inside the truck. He had sustained a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
According to SPD, a preliminary investigation revealed that “(the victim) was meeting an unknown individual for the purpose of selling a pair of headphones.”
The police department stated that the victim arrived at the residence located in the 1800 block of W 3rd Street, and he parked his pickup truck in the driveway. While waiting inside the vehicle, at least two unknown individuals approached the driver’s side.
Moments later, the victim began reversing out of the driveway. Several gunshots were then fired, and the truck continued to travel in reverse until it entered the retention pond, where it was located by officers.
In a media release on August 21, SPD stated that the homicide investigation ultimately led detectives to identifying Dra’shawn Williams as a suspect. An arrest warrant was issued for Williams, and he was already in custody on an unrelated charge.
Following his arrest, Williams was charged with first-degree murder.
“The investigation is ongoing,” stated SPD. The police department encourages anyone with information regarding this fatal shooting to call 407-688-5070.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-423-TIPS(8477).
No further details were provided by Sanford police.