A Sanford jury on Friday convicted William Smith, 19, and Dra’shawn Williams, 17, of first‑degree murder and attempted robbery with a firearm for the fatal 2024 shooting of a man who had met them to sell a pair of headphones.
Background of the crime
The incident occurred in July 2024. The victim, 22‑year‑old Brandon Leo, had listed a pair of Beats wireless headphones on the OfferUp online marketplace. He traveled from Orlando to a vacant house in Sanford, believing he was meeting the sellers to complete the transaction.
According to a release from the 18th Judicial District State Attorney’s Office, Leo arrived in a pickup truck, was confronted by Smith and Williams, and was ordered to surrender his property at gunpoint. As Leo attempted to reverse his truck and flee, the suspects opened fire. The truck crashed into a nearby retention pond, where Leo was found dead from his wounds.
Investigation and trial
Police recovered seven shell casings and the headphones outside the vacant house. Surveillance video from the neighborhood captured the shooting, and cell‑phone data from both the victim and the defendants linked the suspects to the crime.
Smith and Williams were charged as adults. Although they were 17 and 15 at the time of the incident, they were booked in September 2024 after an initial arrest of Williams on an unrelated charge.
Verdict and sentencing
The five‑day trial concluded with the jury finding both defendants guilty of first‑degree murder and attempted robbery with a firearm. The court sentenced them to life imprisonment, with a sentencing hearing scheduled for November 13.
Community impact
The case underscores the dangers of meeting strangers for online transactions, a concern for many residents who use platforms such as OfferUp. Local law‑enforcement officials encourage the public to exercise caution, meet in public places, and involve police when arranging exchanges.
Sanford Police Department continues to investigate similar incidents and urges anyone with information about unsafe online‑marketplace practices to contact the department.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
