SANFORD, FLORIDA — A 28-year-old man was killed Thursday evening in what was Sanford's fifth shooting this week, the Sanford Police Department said.
The shooting was reported at about 7:30 p.m. at a home on Willow Avenue near East 7th Street, police spokeswoman Bianca Gillett said.
Toby Martin was fatally shot in the backyard of his home, Gillett said.
"Witnesses reported hearing a vehicle leave the area of the shooting shortly after gunshots were heard," she said. "Investigators believe there were multiple witnesses in the backyard at the time of the shooting."
None of the witnesses have spoken to detectives about the shooting, Gillett said.
Resident Zena Williams, who knew Martin, described him as a nice young man who didn't deserve to be killed.
"These young people in Sanford, they need to be stopped. People are tired of it," Williams said. "I wish I was a witness, because I would turn them in to the authorities."
Maria Bryant, Martin's cousin, told Channel 9 that this is the second time in six months that she has lost a relative to gun violence.
Bryant said someone fatally shot her son earlier this year while trying to rob him after his car broke down.
"It's got to stop. This is crazy," she said. "They didn't care. They didn't care about nobody's life."
Bryant said she hopes someone will come forward with information about her cousin's murder.
"I thank God for everybody who came forth for my son and told the truth," she said. "I thank God for that every single day."
In an emailed statement, Sanford police Chief Cecil Smith called the rash of shooting beyond frustrating.
"These incidents do not just impact the victims and their families. We are all affected by this violence," Smith said. "It is up to us as a community to decide together that this type of violence is not acceptable here in Sanford."
Smith urged witnesses to speak to investigators about "these senseless and devastating acts of violence."
Police have increased patrols of the area.
The shooting remains under investigation.
No other details were given.
Anyone having additional information is asked to contact call Crimeline at 407-423-8477.
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