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Second person dies in Central Florida shooting, victim is 8-year-old boy

Posted at 9:00 AM, Mar 27, 2017
and last updated 2019-03-26 21:34:42-04

UPDATE: A second victim has died as a result of Monday's shooting.

Branden Christian, 8, succumbed to his injuries Tuesday morning.

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What started as an early Monday morning dispute in Sanford over house keys turned deadly.
 
Police say 31-year-old Allen Cashe went on a shooting rampage - targeting family and strangers alike. 

Officers were called to a Sanford home after reports of gunfire at 6:20 AM. 

It was their second time at the home that morning, as officers were called earlier for a argument between Cashe and his ex girlfriend LaTina Herring over car keys. 
 
Inside they found Herring dead, and her children and her father shot. 

“A mother lost her life,” says Sanford Police Chief Chief Cecil Smith. “Three others, including two young boys, are fighting for their lives.”

Police say Cashe left the house, but it wasn't the end of the violence. 
 
Just a few blocks away, investigators say he shot at innocent bystanders as he fled - including an 18 year old waiting at a bus stop. 
 
Resident Alfredia Cofield woke up to the horrific scene. 
 
“I was like 'Call the police, please, somebody please call the police to help her!’,” Cofield says.
 
The gunfire just missed her family sleeping in her home a few feet away. 
 
“I’m scared right now from that,” Cofield says. “It could've came right through the house and shot some of these kids in here.”

The Sanford Police Department is facing some scrutiny over Cashe’s criminal history. 
 
With a record that includes more than 20 arrests, several domestic violence petitions, and prison time...some are wondering why more action wasn't taken before Monday. 

Chief Smith says it's an ongoing challenge when it comes to domestic situations. 

“Part of the issue that comes into play is that we have so many victims, including victims of domestic violence, that will not prosecute...who will file the complaint, file the charges, but when it gets into the court system they chose to step back and away from it”

Cashe is being charged with First Degree Murder, 4 counts of attempted murder, and one count of attempted 2nd degree murder.

He’s being held in the Seminole County Jail.

 

 

EARLIER STORY

SANFORD, Fla. (AP) -- Investigators say one person is dead and five others -- including two young children -- are being treated for injuries following a shooting in central Florida.

Sanford police spokeswoman Bianca Gillet tells local news outlets that four people were shot in a house following what appears to be a domestic violence incident early Monday. She says two innocent bystanders were also shot in another location in Sanford, which is northeast of Orlando.

 

She says the children are ages 7 and 8, and that all five shooting victims are in critical condition.

Gillet says a police officer heard the shots at the second location and was able to capture the suspect. A weapon was found.

The names of the shooting victims haven't been released. No further details were immediately available.