One of two children left in critical condition after a shooting in Sanford on Monday has died, police said.

  • Police: 1 of 2 boys critical after shooting has died, police say
  • Youngest of 2 boys still in critical, as well as grandfather
  • Investigators: Allen Cashe shot and killed boys' mother

Branden D. Christian, 8, died just before 8 a.m. Tuesday.

His father said he prayed all night that his son would make it.

“Branden, I love you. God knows I do. You got the same name as me,” Branden Christian said. 

Family members have been posted at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children for the past 24 hours.

“I've been here the whole time. I never left. I wanted my son to walk out of that hospital with me. He can’t,” Christian said.

The boy's younger brother, a 7-year-old, remains in critical condition at Arnold Palmer. Their grandfather, Bertis Gerard Herring Jr., is also in critical condition.

Larazo Paredesquelite and Rakeya Jackson are in stable condition.

"It is heartbreaking to know that this young child lost his life needlessly, and in such a violent manner. Our hearts and prayers are with his family during this tragedy," Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith said in a statement.

"There are no words to describe the tragic loss of a young and innocent life taken so soon," Seminole Schools Superintendent Walt Griffin said in statement. "We have placed grief counselors at all our schools directly impacted by this incident for any student, faculty or staff member that requires their services to cope and heal. The counselors will remain in place for as long as necessary."

Meanwhile, the man accused in the shooting, Allen D. Cashe, 31, is expected to appear before a judge this afternoon.

Sanford Police said Cashe had been arguing with his ex-girlfriend, Tina Herring, about a recent breakup and some property.

Investigators said he came to Herring’s home and shot and killed her Monday morning. Then, Cashe shot her 7- and 8-year-old sons and her father, Herring Jr.

“It’s so unfortunate, and if anybody wants to talk about what happened here, just pray. Pray for those babies and pray for the family — that’s the only thing I can ask,” neighbor Ely Montanez said.

Police said that after Cashe left the home, he shot two people near a bus stop a couple of blocks away, a man and young woman who is a Winter Springs High School student. Both are hospitalized in stable condition.

“I think it’s scary. This is my daughter’s bus stop, and for it to happen right here, that’s pretty scary. That’s why I drove her down. I didn’t want her walking anymore. I'm afraid for her,” said Paul Dabill, who was at the bus stop Tuesday morning.

Cashe was taken into custody Monday morning and faces multiple charges in the shooting, including first degree homicide.

"We will continue to focus on the case against Allen Cashe and to seek justice for all of the victims and their families," Smith said.

Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS or go to Crimeline.org.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family.