Man shot, killed after card game in Winter Garden, police say

Madilyn DestefanoGail Paschall-BrownWINTER GARDEN, Fla. —

A man was shot and killed after playing a card game in Winter Garden, according to the police department.

The shooting occurred just before midnight on Aug. 19 on Bethune Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers with the Winter Garden Police Department located Shariff Simmons, 49, on the ground outside the residence. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said before the shooting, Simmons and other occupants of the residence were playing a card game.

“Mr. Simmons was inside the residence playing cards with friends, who have all been very cooperative with us, and he stepped outside to take a phone call, at which time the shooting occurred,” said Winter Garden police Captain Mike Mason. “We’re following up on every possible motive, possible lead, but we’re not prepared to release that information at this time.”

All witnesses are being interviewed and evidence is being collected from the scene, police said.

“It did appear to be very targeted towards Mr. Simmons so, we don’t believe there to be a danger to the rest of the community,” Mason added.

WGPD said the investigation is still active.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police department or Crimeline.

Crimeline

Crimeline’s mission is to increase the safety of the Central Florida community by assisting law enforcement agencies in removing undesirable individuals from the community, according to its mission statement.

>> Call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477).

>> Leave a tip online.

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Central Florida Crimeline began in July 1977, originally named Crimewatch, modeled after the first Crime Stoppers program founded in Albuquerque, New Mexico.