State Attorney Ed Brodsky’s office announced today that Judge Andrea Decanio sentenced FRANKLIN RAYBON, Jr. to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 1st degree Murder with a Firearm after a 4-day trial that ended on October 29, 2026. The twelve-person jury also found Raybon guilty of three additional counts: Attempted Second-Degree Murder with a Firearm, Shooting from a Vehicle within 1000 Feet of Persons, and Child Abuse. The defendant will be sentenced for these three crimes at a later date. Raybon committed these offenses on May 19, 2024, at North Jetty Park, Nokomis. The case was investigated by Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office with Detective Matthew Leavitt as the case agent.
The defendant shot and killed victim Octavious Cummings, Jr. after a brief physical altercation between the two men. After the fistfight, Raybon, his girlfriend and their infant daughter got into their car and started to leave the park when Raybon abruptly stopped his car, fired several shots from inside the car in proximity to his girlfriend and 7-month old daughter, then got out of the driver’s seat and fired 11 more rounds over the car roof in the direction of Cummings, Sierra Speek and a large crowd of beachgoers and picknickers. Mr. Cummings, Jr., suffered a fatal gunshot wound to his chest and was pronounced dead at the scene. Ms Speek came within inches of being killed by the gunfire. After firing 13 rounds, the defendant at a high rate of speed and remained at large for 2 days before he was apprehended and arrested by the Sheriff’s Office. During this incident, North Jetty Park was crowded with men, women, and children, many of whom were swimming and sunbathing in direct line of the defendant’s gunfire.
The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Karen Fraivillig commented:
“This defendant demonstrated contempt for the law and an indifference to human life. The murder of Octavious Cummings was a cowardly act of retaliation for losing a fistfight that he initiated. Raybon’s violent actions showed a complete disregard for the lives and safety of others, including the well-being of his infant daughter. Detective Leavitt’s thorough and meticulous investigation, coupled with the sentence imposed by the Court, ensure the safety of our community.
If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney Karen Fraivillig in the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4400.