Men shot in Sanford shared a home; Police seek driver of silver/gray sedan

The two men shot in Sanford Monday afternoon shared a last name and a home, at 218 Simmons Street.

Joseph Thomas Smith, 72, died of his injuries at Central Carolina Hospital. Ty’Shawn Anthony Smith, 19, was shot in the leg and is expected to recover. Sanford police did not say how or whether the men are related.

Niya Martin, niece of Joseph Smith, called the shooting and his death, "A tragedy that happened that shouldn't have happened."

The shooting happened late Monday afternoon outside the home the men shared. Sky 5 video showed a police presence, a Lexus covered with a gray tarp and dozens of bullet casings on the ground.

"It was about 17 gunshots," says Charisse Johnson, who says Joseph Smith was her brother-in-law.

"He was bleeding, just bleeding," she recalls. "He didn't know he was shot. When I tried to grab him, he just fell."

Police on Tuesday released photos of a gray or silver sedan they believe is linked to the shooting. Anyone with information about the car, its driver or the case is asked to call Sanford police at 919-775-8268.