Sanford’s police chief is standing by his officers and how they handled a domestic dispute that left two people dead and four others shot.
Police Chief Cecil Smith called a news conference Monday to go step-by-step through body camera video from the night of the shootings.
He said the AK-47 used in the shooting rampage was purchased by one of the victims.
The chief said the weapon was registered to LaTina Herring, who police said was gunned down by her boyfriend, Allen Cashe.
Herring died, as did her 8-year-old son, Branden Christian.
Herring’s other son, Brandon Christian, and her father remain hospitalized.
Two bystanders were also wounded in the shooting.
Sanford police Chief Cecil Smith defended his officers’ response to the initial calls.
There were questions as to whether officers should have done more when Herring presented them with a backpack that she said belonged to Cashe.
Police were called out twice before Cashe opened fire.
Body camera video shoes police going through the backpack that Herring said belonged to the suspect.
Cashe said the stuff didn’t belong to him and was allowed to leave.
Officers later found a gun inside.
The chief said on Monday that the gun actually belonged to the victim, so the gun in the backpack and the gun used in the shooting spree belonged to the victim.
“As of right now, I believe the officers acted appropriately. They did what they were supposed to do,” Smith said. “We tried to collect and get as much information in assuring that, if we had to make an arrest, it would be a valid one.”
The AK-47 belonged to the victim, and it’s unclear how Cashe was able to get his hands on it the morning of the shooting.
Cashe is a convicted felon, and isn’t allowed to own a gun.
“So both of these weapons, the one that was in the red bag, as well as the one that was used in this horrific incident was purchased by the victim, unfortunately,” said Smith.
He said the officers were vetting the incident properly.
The chief also addressed inaccurate reports that an officer told the victim to stop calling 911.
Smith said the victim never called 911, and the comments were directed to a third party who wasn’t at the scene.
He said his officers already go through training for domestic violence situations, and no changes are needed.
Cashe remains in jail without bond.
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