In Sanford, Florida, Savon Chantay Tyler allegedly shot and killed Lauren Ashley Martin during a live-streamed altercation.
Tyler was taken into custody without incident on November 6, 2024, and charged with first-degree homicide.
According to the Sanford Police Department, officers responded to a shooting report at Greystone Townhomes on November 5 around 7:00 p.m. They found Martin in the roadway with multiple gunshot wounds and transported her to a local hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The conflict began as an ongoing argument between Tyler and Martin, with Martin driving to Tyler’s residence. The disagreement escalated from verbal to physical. WESH reports that Martin, a photographer, had taken pictures of Tyler, which Tyler appeared unhappy with.
Martin’s aunt, Jessica Burks, stated, “Someone went online and made a comment… then another person went online and made a comment, just back and forth, and spiraled out of control from there.” The altercation turned into a “mutual-combat style fist fight” before Tyler shot Martin multiple times.
Sanford Police possess the livestream footage of the fatal incident, reportedly recorded by Martin and Tyler’s girlfriend. The stream was broadcast via Facebook.
The police department assured that this was an isolated incident with no additional suspects at large.
In a statement, the Sanford Police Department said, “…This was an isolated incident, and there is no one at large related to this situation.” Tyler’s arrest brings some closure, but the community remains shaken by the tragic events.
