SANFORD, Fla. — The city of Sanford is mourning a heartbreaking tragedy after a Saturday afternoon shooting left one person dead and another injured, according to the Sanford Police Department.
Authorities say officers were dispatched to the area of 14th Street and Mangoustine Avenue shortly after 3:30 p.m. following reports of gunfire that sent shockwaves through the quiet residential neighborhood. When officers arrived, they discovered 22-year-old La-Don Ja’Quan Williams suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by first responders and emergency medical personnel, La-Don was later pronounced deceased.
A second victim, whose identity has not yet been released, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of injuries that are believed to be non-life-threatening. Police have not confirmed the circumstances that led to the shooting, but an active investigation is underway as detectives work tirelessly to determine what happened and who is responsible.
For those who knew La-Don Williams, the devastating news has left an unfillable void. Friends and family describe him as a bright, kind, and ambitious young man whose presence lit up every room he entered. He was known for his sense of humor, his loyalty to those he loved, and his determination to build a better future.
“He had a heart of gold,” one family member shared. “He loved deeply, cared deeply, and he didn’t deserve to go out this way. Our hearts are shattered.”
The Sanford Police Department has urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Detectives are canvassing the area, reviewing surveillance footage, and speaking with witnesses as they piece together the moments leading up to the tragedy.
As word of the incident spread, members of the Sanford community gathered near the scene to light candles, say prayers, and offer support to La-Don’s grieving family. For a city that has endured its share of heartbreak, this loss serves as another painful reminder of the devastating toll of gun violence.
Community leaders and residents alike are calling for peace and unity, emphasizing the need to stand together against the senseless acts that continue to claim young lives.
La-Don Ja’Quan Williams will be remembered not for the violence that took him, but for the love, laughter, and light he brought into the world. His memory now lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him, even as Sanford mourns yet another life cut tragically short.
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