Mother of two shot to death in St. Pete apartment

The scene where a mother of two was fatally shot at 776 1/2 16 Ave. S. in St. Petersburg this morning.  [Dirk Shadd | Times].

ST. PETERSBURG -- A home invasion turned deadly after a woman was shot and killed late Wednesday, marking the city's 22nd homicide this year.

Police said the victim, Mandy M. Sampson, a 27-year-old mother of two, wasn't the target.

Sampson was found by detectives around 10:50 p.m.in an upstairs apartment in the Bartlett Park neighborhood. Records show she has been arrested several time on felony drug possession charges.

The apartment, police said, was well known for drug activity.

"It's an unfortunate circumstance where she was at the residence," said Sgt. Mike Kovacsev, head of the police homicide unit.

Kovacsev said a bullet pierced Sampson in the upper torso after an argument broke out between people at the apartment, located in an alley at 776 1/2 16th Ave. S. It in unclear how many people were involved.

So far, no one is in custody.

Sampson leaves behind two young sons. Police say they weren't in the apartment. The two boys, ages 3 and 5, are staying with relatives, police said.

As police continue their investigation this morning, they are asking anyone who may been at the apartment to come forward and aid in the search for the shooter.

"We'd like to try and get the entire story of what happened," Kovacsev said. "We'd like them to come forward."

Anyone with information is asked to call St. Petersburg Police Department Homicide Det. Gary Gibson at 727-893-7512.

-- Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Photo of Sampson courtesy of St. Petersburg Police Department