Sarasota: Two men arrested in connection to December 2019 homicide

 

 

 

Sarasota: Two men arrested in connection to December 2019 homicide

 

SPD

 

Sirod D. Cephus, 23, of North Osprey Avenue, Sarasota, and Deshaunte J. Delancy, 27, of 18^th Street West, Bradenton, have been arrested and are facing charges of murder and armed robbery in connection to a December 2019 homicide in the City of Sarasota.    

 

James “Jimmy” Rivers, 48, of Sarasota, was found suffering from a gunshot on December 28, 2019 in the 1800 block of 22^nd Street, Sarasota.  Rivers was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital where he later died.  The investigation began as a suspicious death but additional information caused Sarasota Police detectives to classify the incident as a homicide.

 

Delancy was arrested on May 7, 2020 on unrelated charges including aggravated assault with a weapon without intent to kill, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of an ammunition by a convicted felon and possession of marijuana with intent to sell.  The weapon involved in the unrelated charges case is not connected to the murder and armed robbery case.  Delancy bonded out of jail on May 8, 2020.

 

Following Rivers’ death, evidence was collected, including fingernail clippings, and submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for analysis.  On May 12, 2020, a FDLE report matched Delancy with evidence submitted in the murder of Rivers.

 

On May 12, 2020, information was received by Sarasota Police detectives that Cephus was a possible suspect involved in the murder of Rivers.  On May 14, 2020, Cephus was detained and spoke with Sarasota Police detectives and arrested on charges of armed robbery and murder.

 

Delancy was arrested in Bradenton today, Thursday, May 28, 2020 by the United States Marshals Service Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force.  Both Delancy and Cephus remain behind bars at the Sarasota County Jail.

 

This case remains under investigation.  Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Detective Kim Laster at 941-263-6827 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com

 

 

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News release from January 2020 below:

 

SARASOTA, FL  –  January 10, 2020  –  9 a.m.

Detectives with the Sarasota Police Department are asking for any information from the public in connection to a suspicious death turned homicide investigation. 

 

The death happened on December 28, 2019 at about 9 p.m., in the 1800 block of 22^nd Street, Sarasota.  Officers responded to the area due to a 911 call of a shooting.  When Officers arrived, they found James ‘Jimmy’ Rivers, 48, of Sarasota, with life-threatening injuries consistent with a gunshot wound.  Rivers was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital where he later died.

 

The investigation began as a suspicious death, but Detectives have learned additional information that has caused them to classify this incident as a homicide.  This case remains an active and ongoing investigation.  Sarasota Police Detectives are searching for a suspect and are asking the community for assistance.

 

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Detective Kim Laster at 941-263-6827 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com