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Third suspect arrested in connection to deadly December shooting outside Sanford Best Buy

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Published  January 12, 2025 10:27am EST
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FOX 35 Orlando

Third suspect arrested linked to Best Buy shooting

The third suspect linked to the Best Buy shooting, James Nelson, turned himself in to authorities on Saturday.

SANFORD, Fla. - Police have arrested a third suspect in connection with the December homicide of Terance Darnell Pope Jr., who was killed in a Best Buy parking lot.

The Brief

    • The third suspect, James Nelson, turned himself in on Saturday evening.
    • Police are still unsure as to the exact details of the transaction, or how it was supposed to occur.
    • The suspects face charges of robbery and first-degree felony murder.

21-year-old James Nelson turned himself in at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility on Saturday and is being charged with first degree felony murder and robbery with a firearm.

He is being held with no bond.

Related story: 2 arrested, 1 sought in deadly December shooting outside Sanford Best Buy

Prior to this arrest, Sanford Police arrested Khalil Hunter, 22, and Shunavious Dorsey, 21, on Thursday on charges of robbery with a firearm and first-degree felony murder.

21-year-old James Nelson turned himself in at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility on Saturday and is being charged with first degree felony murder and robbery with a firearm.

Arrests come weeks after shooting outside Best Buy

The backstory: Terance Darnell Pope was shot in the parking of a Best Buy in Sanford on the evening of Dec. 17, 2024. 

Shortly after 8 p.m, officers responded to reports of shots fired near the intersection of Rinehart Road and Garnet Lane. 

Upon arrival, officers found Pope with a gunshot wound in the store's parking lot. He was taken to a local hospital where he later died. At the time, investigators were unsure if Pope was a patron at the store who was the victim of a random crime or if it was a targeted attack.

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

What we don't know:

Smith said police still are unsure as to the exact details of the transaction, such as what the transaction was or how it was supposed to occur.

It has not been determined if Pope had a gun with him, officials stated. Smith said there has been no evidence found that Pope engaged in a fight.

Smith also said more than one shot was fired at the time of the incident. 

The Source: This information came from the Sanford Police Department.

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