Authorities said that they have one suspect apprehended, but believe to have another still at large. They’ve partnered with the city and other local charities.
Advertisement
Florida is again reeling from a mass shooting at a nightclub, but instead of being committed by a terrorist spouting Islamist ideology, this rampage may have started with an argument over a rap performance.
Gov. Rick Scott promised the state would do everything it could to help the victims and hold those responsible accountable.
Parents were picking up their children from Club Blu Bar and Grill in Fort Myers when gunfire erupted outside, the club said in a Facebook post.
According to reports recovered from online state records show the alcohol license for the Fort Myers nightclub was revoked on June 7.
Hospital officials say four people remain hospitalized after a nightclub shooting in Florida that left two dead and 17 wounded.
Police are investigating two other related scenes, one on Ortiz Avenue, where a person of interest has been detained.
Police Chief Dennis Eads said Monday that law enforcement officials were still looking for others who may have been involved.
The youngest to die, Archilles, lived about a mile from the nightclub, and loved to play football and basketball, said his father, Jean Archilles.
Timothy Settles, according to his Facebook posts, was at Blu and was a victim in the shooting.
Myers Mayor Randy Henderson, Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott and Ft.
Lee Memorial Health System said in a statement late this afternoon that two people at the hospital are still in critical condition and one is in fair condition.
Police are reporting that the scene is still very active at this point as investigators and crime scene personnel attempt to determine what had occured and a possible motive for the incident.
A previous version of this story incorrectly spelled the names of victims Sean Archilles and Stef’An Strawder based on an earlier police statement.
The same records also show a complaint was filed in 2014 for “criminal activity” and that the club was given an official notice. It was not immediately clear what triggered the violence.
When police arrived to the scene they found several victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Injuries ranged from minor to life threatening, Fort Myers police said in a statement.
Club Blu had advertised a “Swimsuit Glow Party” Sunday night open to people of all ages on its Facebook page, and said in a since-deleted post that the party was “a middle school/high school event”.
Club owner Cheryl Filardi, who said she was in the back room when the shots rang out, said at least 10 security guards were hired for the party – two in the parking lot, one or two at the door and the rest floating inside. “Ages 12-17”, the post said.
Syreeta Gary, whose daughter was at the club when the shooting broke out, told TV station Fox 4 that her daughter’s friend was shot in the leg as they tried to escape.
Advertisement
Police in Fort Myers say the area around a deadly nightclub shooting has been deemed safe.
