Community organizers have proposed Sunday, Dec. 18 as a potential date for a re-do of the annual Sanford Christmas Parade, sources have confirmed to the Rant.
The proposed route is shorter than the normal route, and would move along Steele and Moore streets between Wicker and Weatherspoon. The parade re-do itself has not been confirmed.
The first parade, held Dec. 5, was cut off early following an eruption of gun violence. Deion Jamille Johns, 20, has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting Sean Dimitrius Matthews, 18, and Jadakis Tysor, 16, at the intersection of Gulf and Wicker streets during the parade. Tysor was not seriously injured, but Matthews was taken to UNC Chapel Hill in critical condition. There has been no public update to his status since the shooting.
Police haven’t confirmed a motive, but some facts point to retaliation as a potential motive. Matthews has linked by authorities to a suspect in the July murder of Johns’ younger brother.