Sanford police search for gunman after man found shot to death in car

SANFORD, Fla. — Sanford police are investigating an apparent homicide after a man was found shot in a vehicle Sunday morning.

Police said patrol units found the victim in a car with a gunshot wound on the 1500 block of West 14^th Street.

“Sanford police officers located the body this morning when they were doing routine patrol,” said Shannon Cordingly, of the Sanford Police Department.

Police said they found the victim in a parked vehicle. They later identified him as Rodney Medlock, 28.

“They found a vehicle with my son inside of it and he had been shot,” said the victim’s mother Sonora Smith. “I hope they find the person or persons who did this.”

“In this instance we did not receive any calls reporting any suspicious activity and gunfire in the area,” Cordingly said.

Officers used a metal detector to comb a grassy lot for shell casings and a bullet hole could be seen in the driver’s side window.

Investigators said they’ve stepped up patrols around the area to keep residents safe.

“It was our officers doing stepped up patrols that they noticed he was deceased,” said Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith.

Smith has worked hard to forge a relationship with the community but was frustrated no one called when gunshots rang out.

“To see this happen, it’s disheartening,” said Smith.

Neighbors said they are concerned for their safety.

“My heart grieved because this is too much crime,” said resident Faye Henderson.

Police urge anyone who may have witnessed the shooting to come forward.

“Sanford police officers are going to canvas the entire area and talk to anyone we can in the hopes they heard or saw something that they may not realize played a role in what happened,” Cordingly said.

Police do not know what may have led to the shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimeline at 800 423-TIPS (8477).

There were two murders in Sanford last year, both of which were domestic and quickly solved.

WFTV