Woman taking out trash wounded in drive-by shooting in Sanford

SANFORD, Fla. – A 34-year-old woman was wounded early Tuesday in a drive-by shooting in Sanford, according to police.

The shooting was reported around 1:30 a.m. on Anderson Avenue.

Shariema Smith, who was shot in the foot, was taken to Central Florida Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Smith told detectives that she was taking out the trash when a red Pontiac drove by and the passenger leaned out the window and opened fire.

"I turned around and I looked (and) all (I saw) was somebody with their hand out and all (I) heard was the shot and the spark," Smith said after returning home from the hospital. "I hurried up and I ran in the house and I closed the door."

Smith said her child and two other children were inside the home at the time of the shooting. They were not harmed.

Smith, who's lived at the home for about a year, said she has no idea who the shooter is.

"I wasn't able to see anybody. It was dark. It was just pitch black," Smith said. "I don't think they (were) targeting me at all. I just think they (were) riding around trying to find somebody to shoot."

The Pontiac was last seen a few blocks from the shooting scene, near the intersection of Mellonville Avenue and Silver Lake. The passenger got out and ran away, but an investigation led to the arrest of Eric Redden, 18, police said.

"I am proud of the men and women of the Sanford Police Department," Police Chief Cecil Smith said. "The long hours, extra patrols and investigative work led to the apprehension of this subject, who is responsible for a violent and dangerous crime in the heart of our city. We will continue to push forward in order to protect this great community."

Redden faces charges of firing a weapon from a vehicle, possession of a weapon by a delinquent adult, use of a deadly weapon and firing a weapon in public.

A motive for the shooting is not known.

Watch News 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for updates.