Palmetto man shot to death in driveway in front of his home, police say
Police are investigating a shooting that left a Palmetto man dead in his driveway early Wednesday morning.
“Right around 4 a.m., officers were patrolling the area and heard some gunshots,” said Palmetto Police Chief Scott Tyler.
Juan Sanchez, who just turned 31 years old 10 days before, was found by officers in his driveway in the 1200 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Place in Palmetto suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite attempts by officers and paramedics, Sanchez died at the scene.
Tyler could not yet provide details about possible motives or suspects.
“We are actively pursing several leads right now and the Manatee County Homicide Task Force has been working with us all day,” Tyler said.
Police are asking for anyone with any information about the shooting to call Detective Sgt Ryan LaRowe at 941-721-2000 ext. 6125 or 941-737-3027.
Outside his home, a car belonging to one of his sisters sat with bullets holes to the windshield and front passenger door. His family said that video surveillance from a neighbor across the street captured three suspects approaching from around the house and one firing the shots.
On the very driveway where he died, Sanchez’s family gathered in mourning, setting up flowers and candles next to the very spot he died.
“I’m never going to see my son again,” Juana Sanchez cried out in Spanish.
Juan Sanchez was one of seven siblings, many of whom were gathered with their family at the Palmetto home on Wednesday afternoon. Laura Sanchez, one of his older sisters, recalled how loving he was, always kissing her on the forehead when he would first see her.
“And every time we would leave, I would say, ‘I love you bro,’” she remembered. His response always, “I love you too, ma.”
At family parties, she and her brother were always dance partners. “We use to really like to dance a lot.”
The victim was named after both his parents, Francisco and Juana Sanchez. The family had immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico before he was born.
Sanchez also left behind seven children, ages from 1 to 12. One of his daughters immediately approached her grandmother when she arrived at the home, breaking down in tears.
Juana Sanchez cried out just moments before, “Let the guilty pay. Let there be justice.”
This story was originally published January 20, 2021 at 2:16 PM.
