Police: Gunman shoots Sanford home as family sleeps inside

SANFORD, Fla. — A woman and her children were awakened late Tuesday when a person sprayed their home with bullets, the Sanford Police Department said.

The shooting was reported shortly before 11:45 p.m. at a home on West 12th Street near Avocado Avenue, Sanford police spokesman Ronny Neal said.

"The (resident) was sleeping when she heard gunshots outside the home," Neal said. "Several bullet holes were found in the front living room."

Alexis Boykins, who said she has lived at the home for six years, said she doesn't know why someone would target her home. She called the shooting senseless.

The children, ages 17, 15, 14, 12, 10, 7 and 1 years old, were not injured, police said.

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"What was y'all's reason to come here, (where) seven kids lay their head at?" Boykins said. "(How do you) feel like you had the authority to come here and ... take someone's life?"

Boykins said her oldest son ran downstairs when he heard gunfire and ordered everyone to lay low.

"All of the bullets went across (the children)," she said. "If it wasn't for their quick reaction of laying down and covering (themselves) up, they probably would have been hit."

At least six shots were fired, witnesses said.

Boykins was told by a neighbor that a red Nissan was parked outside of the home for at least 45 minutes before the shooting and was possibly targeting a neighbor due to a recent feud with threats made, the police report said, but police said they can't confirm those details yet.

Boykins said her children are too afraid to stay at the home, but she can't afford to move.

Marcus Killingsworth was fatally shot in the driveway of an adjacent home in March 2013, investigators said.

Police said Channel 9 shared with detectives footage of two men walking away from the home after that shooting.

Investigators said they arrested the men in the fatal shooting seven months later.

A sign that reads "In loving memory of Big Marc" still stands outside the home.

No one was injured in Tuesday's shooting, which remains under investigation.

The gunman remains at large.

No other details were given.

Cox Media Group