SANFORD, Fla. — In a significant development in a nearly three-year-old case, authorities have charged 23-year-old Thallas Inman with the first-degree premeditated murder of Isaiah Diaz, who was fatally shot just days before Christmas in 2022. Inman was already detained on charges related to a separate murder.
The announcement has brought a partial closure to the victim’s family who has awaited justice since the tragic incident. Diaz’s mother, Shaunkerra Donald, expressed mixed emotions about the breakthrough. Speaking about the moment she heard the news, Donald revealed it came unexpectedly during a routine workday. “The roller coaster of emotions has been overwhelming,” she said, adding that she finally felt a glimmer of hope upon receiving the call.
The fatal shooting occurred at the Hatteras Sound Apartments in Sanford, where Diaz and two others were ambushed in their vehicle. According to police reports, three assailants armed with rifles approached the car and opened fire. Although the other two individuals in the car survived, Diaz did not.
Donald remembers her son as a beacon of positivity, making his senseless murder even more difficult to comprehend. With the arrest of Inman, she hopes more witnesses will be motivated to come forward with information that could assist the investigation. “Silence helps no one,” Donald stated, urging anyone with knowledge of the crime to contact the authorities.
Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith reaffirmed the department’s commitment to the case, assuring that the investigation remains active. “We will continue pursuing every lead to bring everyone involved to justice,” Smith said. He acknowledged the complexity of the case but expressed confidence in the ongoing efforts of his team.
The police are urging the public to help with any information related to the 2022 shooting incident. Insights from the community could be crucial in piecing together the events that led to Diaz’s death and potentially lead to more arrests.
As the case progresses, the local community and Diaz’s family wait anxiously for further developments, hoping that justice will finally be served for Isaiah and that his untimely death will not go unpunished. The charge against Inman is a significant step, but as Donald suggests, the journey towards full accountability continues.