Headline Surfer Illustration / Above center: Brothers Roland Deloatch and Joseph DeLoach were shot and killed in their mom's home by a masked intruder on Oct. 31, 2016. Top Left: Sanford cops responded to the crime scene. Top Right: The grieving mom is shown at a press conference.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
SANFORD, Fla. -- A real-life horror story brought a bunch of cop cars to a house in the 200 block of Hays Drive just before 9 p.m. Halloween night five years ago while families with kids in costumes were winding down from the fun of trick or treating in the neighborhood.
Cops with lights and sirens rushed to the crime scene in the 200 block of Hays Drive, where they would locate Joseph Smith and Roland Deloatch suffering from gunshot wounds. Both brothers would later die as a result of those injuries.
Sanford PD Sanford PD issued a statement on the eve of Halloween 2021: "On this 5-year anniversary, we at the Sanford Police Department have not forgotten these two young men who would lose their lives on an evening that should have been filled with fun and good times. Instead, a killer used the night to commit these bold murders in disguise, carrying them out in front of the mother of the two brothers."
The Sanford PD statement continued: "The suspect then fled the home, blending in with the families that were celebrating Halloween in costumes. Several leads were thoroughly followed and evidence analyzed to no avail, leaving a family, friends, and the community grieving and without closure for the past 5 years. In an ongoing effort to solve this double homicide, the Sanford Police Department and the family of Joseph and Roland are asking for the community’s help with any information that would lead to the person(s) responsible for killing Joseph and Roland."
Sanford PD issued a statement on the eve of Halloween 2021: On this 5-year anniversary, we at the Sanford Police Department have not forgotten these two young men who would lose their lives on an evening that should have been filled with fun and good times. Instead, a killer used the night to commit these bold murders in disguise, carrying them out in front of the mother of the two brothers. The suspect then fled the home, blending in with the families that were celebrating Halloween in costumes. Several leads were thoroughly followed and evidence analyzed to no avail, leaving a family, friends, and the community grieving and without closure for the past 5 years. In an ongoing effort to solve this double homicide, the Sanford Police Department and the family of Joseph and Roland are asking for the community’s help with any information that would lead to the person(s) responsible for killing Joseph and Roland.
Reward of up to $15,000 for info leading to arrest and prosecution of the masked gunman responsible for the double murder
Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact Central Florida Crimelineat 800-423-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimeline.org. Calls made to Crimeline remain anonymous, and tips to Crimelinethat lead to solving this homicide are eligible for a reward of up to $15,000.00. Anyone with information can also contact the Sanford Police Department at (407) 688-5070.
“Our first responders work hard all year long and we wanted a chance to honor them in a very public way where everyone can take a moment to appreciate all they do for our City.”
Last year, the municipality distributed yard signs that proclaimed “Thank You First Responders!” to honor their service and are encouraging residents who still have their signs to display them again today in celebration.
