Winter Park sees two shootings in two days

Winter Park saw two shootings in two days earlier this week, with one resulting in the third homicide the city has seen this year.

Officers responded to a call on Sunday, April 24, at 2:40 a.m. regarding a robbery and shots fired in a residence on the 600 block of West Swoope Avenue. Gunfire was exchanged between a suspect and a victim, who were both rushed to the the hospital after sustaining non-life threatening injuries.

That was followed by another shooting the next day at around 8:23 p.m., when officers responded to a call of shots being fired at the Meadows Apartments located off of Monroe Avenue. Police arrived on the scene and found victim Trevius Donte Roberts, who had sustained a gunshot wound.

Roberts was rushed to the hospital, where he later died.

The incidents are believed to be unrelated and are both being investigated, said Lt. Pam Marcum of the Winter Park Police Department. Marcum said no suspects have been identified in the second shooting.

“Unfortunately violence can happen anywhere at any time,” Marcum said. “Hopefully its two isolated incidents and hopefully this type of activity isn’t going to continue in any of our surrounding communities as well as our own community.”

“We’re actively investigating both of these cases and hope to charge somebody.”

Last month Winter Park Police arrested a suspect in connection with a shooting on Feb. 17, which claimed the lives of residents Jordan Ingram, 24, and Frank Freeman, 46.

It was the first homicide case in Winter Park since 29-year-old Patrick Taft Jackson was shot and killed in June 2013 during a home invasion burglary off of Loren Avenue.

Monday’s City Commission meeting served as a reminder of the Winter Park Police Department’s changing leadership in the near future as the city recognized retiring Deputy Chief Vern Taylor for his 28 years of service.

“I’m very humbled and honored today to be recognized with the proclamation,” Taylor said.

“Your public safety officials, both police and fire, have one thing in common for our citizens of Winter Park: we strive to be someone’s hero every day.”