Photographer Was Allegedly Killed by Woman Upset Over Photos, as Suspect's Girlfriend Livestreamed Attack: Police
Lauren Ashley Martin, 34, died after allegedly being shot by Savon Chantay Tyler, per police
Lauren Ashley Martin, 34, died after allegedly being shot by Savon Chantay Tyler, per police
Police in Florida have arrested one woman in connection with a homicide and are looking for another woman they allege streamed the killing live on social media.
Lauren Ashley Martin, 34, died after being shot multiple times outside a Sanford, Fla., home on Tuesday, Nov. 5, the Sanford Police Department said in a statement.
Police arrested 35-year-old Savon Chantay Tyler on a murder charge in connection with the killing. In an update on Friday, Sanford police said they have charged another woman, Lakevia Davonna Pringle, on accusations she streamed the attack on social media.
Tyler and Martin were engaged in a verbal confrontation which led to the eventual killing, Sanford police say.
Martin’s family told WESH that she was a photographer and had an ongoing feud with Tyler over photographs she had taken of the suspect.
The victim’s aunt told the outlet that there were comments made online, without specifying further details, and after some “back and forth” between the commenters, the situation “spiraled out of control.”
On Tuesday evening, just hours before the killing, Martin livestreamed a video on her Facebook page, repeatedly saying she was going to Sanford to "beat" someone (the name of the person she wanted to "beat" wasn't clear in the video).
Martin drove to Tyler’s home, where they continued their verbal altercation before it turned physically violent, Sanford police said in their statement.
Pringle, identified by The Miami Herald as Tyler’s girlfriend, also recorded the incident live on Facebook, the outlet reported, citing an arrest affidavit.
The livestream from Pringle’s phone showed Tyler reportedly coming out of the residence with a child’s baseball bat and gun, before resting the gun on the ground, per the affidavit.
When the victim and the suspect begin their fight, at one point Martin catches hold of the bat,The Miami Herald reported, citing the affidavit. Tyler then allegedly picks up the gun and shoots Martin.
“While live streaming, Pringle can be heard encouraging Tyler to continue the altercation, which led to the homicide of [Martin],” Sanford police said in their Friday statement.
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In a GoFundMe set up for Martin's three children and assistance with her funeral costs, her family said she was "affectionately known as 'Bubbles,'" and said her sudden death was "a tragic loss."
Tyler is being held on a charge of premeditated murder without bond, Seminole County's online court records show. She has entered a plea of not guilty, per online records.
As of Friday afternoon, Pringle had not been arrested. Per the Sanford Police, on Nov. 8, a warrant was issued for Pringle for one count of principle in the first degree to first degree premeditated homicide.
Investigators are requesting anyone with information on this crime, or about Pringle's location, to contact the Sanford Police Department or Crimeline at 800 423-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimeline.org.