Gaensley Noel, a 23-year-old Black man, was shot and killed on August 18, 2020, in Sanford, Florida. He was found behind the wheel of a parked car on Yale Drive with a gunshot wound to the head and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died. Police described the incident as an isolated robbery-related incident.

Sanford police identified and arrested 19-year-old Tristan L. Sanders on August 31, 2020. Sanders was charged with felony homicide, attempted robbery with a firearm, burglary with a battery, possession of a firearm by a delinquent, and shooting a missile into an occupied conveyance. Authorities say Sanders attempted to steal a cell phone from Noel; witnesses and security video helped identify him.

Investigators also named a second suspect, 21-year-old Carlos J. Smith Jr., who was believed to be involved and considered armed and dangerous. He faced charges including first-degree felony homicide, attempted second-degree homicide, burglary with assault/battery, attempted robbery with a firearm, and discharging a firearm into a vehicle. If anyone has information about Smith’s whereabouts or the shooting, contact local investigators.