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Family reflects on life of 21-year-old man shot to death in Sanford Best Buy parking lot

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Published  January 7, 2025 7:40pm EST
Seminole County
FOX 35 Orlando

Family seeks answers in shooting death of man outside Best Buy

Authorities are still searching for answers in the deadly shooting of a 21-year-old man outside a Best Buy parking lot just a week before Christmas.

The Brief

    • Terence Pope Jr., a 21-year-old athlete, was fatally shot in a busy Best Buy parking lot in Sanford just before Christmas, with no leads or arrests reported.
    • Pope’s family and former coach described him as a hardworking, happy, and approachable young man preparing to play Division I football.
    • As police continue their investigation, Pope’s family urges anyone with information to come forward to help solve the case.

SANFORD, Fla. - Weeks after 21-year-old Terance Darnell Pope Jr. was gunned down, his family is pushing for the public’s help in finding his killer.

The shooting happened in mid-December at the peak of holiday shopping. Despite the location on Rinehart Road in Sanford being super busy, police haven’t announced any leads or arrests to the public. 

"It’s still kind of unbelievable. I have a hard time accepting what has happened," said one of Pope's family members, who asked not to be named in this report.

A lifelong athlete and former University High School football player, Pope went on to play as a defensive back for Davenport University.

"He was always smiling, always happy," the family member said. "Any time he would walk into a room, whether he knew people or not, he was very approachable."

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Pope’s former coach, Brian Kells, expressed his grief in a statement, writing, "I am extremely saddened to hear of the death of my former football player Terance Pope. Terance was a hard worker on the football field with a great personality. My prayers go out to his family."

Pope’s stepfather described the loss as a rollercoaster of emotions. 

"It just seems like a nightmare, a dream," said Nicholas Santiago of his stepson. "I'm tying to get my brain to catch up to reality."

Santiago wasn’t surprised by the Kells’ positive impression of Pope.

"I’m glad that other people see the other side of him. He wasn't this tough, scary guy," he added. "He was just a fun guy, a fun kid. Loveable guy. Always laughing and joking."

Sanford police have not announced any updates since last month, but Pope’s mother remains confident that the investigation is progressing. 

"This affected so many lives," Santiago said of his stepson's death. "Not just for the day that it happened, but forever."

The family continues to urge anyone with information to come forward to help bring justice.  A GoFundMe account has also been established to fund a memorial to honor Pope. 

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by family members of Terance Pope Jr. and the Sanford Police Department.

Seminole CountySanfordCrime and Public Safety