Arrest made after man fatally shot in Lake Markham Woods subdivision near Sanford

Authorities arrested 42-year-old Shaun Simon of Sanford early Wednesday after a late-night shooting in the Lake Markham Woods subdivision left a man dead. The incident unfolded in the 7400 block of Colonial Court and prompted a joint response from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and Seminole County Fire Rescue.

The shooting was reported at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3. Seminole County deputies transported the injured man to a hospital in critical condition, where he was later identified as Bill Toth and pronounced dead at 2:17 a.m. Wednesday. Deputies arrested Shaun Simon and booked him into the Seminole County Jail on a charge of first-degree murder early that morning. Some early accounts transcribed the suspect’s name as Sean Simon; official records list him as Shaun Simon.

Investigators have identified a familial connection that several sources characterized as an alleged son-in-law relationship between Shaun Simon and the victim, and reported that Simon reportedly lived in the house with Toth. Authorities have filed a criminal complaint and continue to gather evidence as part of an active investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The homicide in Lake Markham Woods has immediate implications for nearby residents and local public safety. The neighborhood on Colonial Court is typically residential and quiet, and a late-night fatal shooting has amplified concerns about domestic conflict and firearm violence within family settings. Seminole County deputies were on scene during the overnight response, and the presence of both law enforcement and fire rescue units underscores the rapid escalation from a medical emergency to a criminal investigation.

For local governance and policy, the case spotlights intersections between domestic relationships and violent crime that county agencies regularly confront. Prosecutors will determine whether the first-degree murder charge moves forward as filed, and the outcome will shape how investigators, victim advocates, and county officials approach prevention and support services for families in distress.

Neighbors seeking information or wishing to report relevant tips should contact the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. As the investigation proceeds, residents can expect updates from law enforcement and court filings that will clarify motive and the evidentiary basis for the charge.

This matter remains under active investigation, and the next steps will include pretrial processes and continued evidence review. For now, the arrest provides a focal point for accountability, but it also leaves Lake Markham Woods residents grappling with the immediate loss and broader questions about safety in their community.