Three people were taken into custody in connection with Monday’s shooting at Club Blu, which police said was connected to two other crime scenes in the city.
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A Fort Myers Police Department officer saw one of the cars, described as a white Chevrolet sedan, driving out of the parking lot and attempted to pull it over, but the auto fled, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said. Thw two victims included an 18-year-old basketball player and a 14-year-old who leaves behind a twin brother. Allegedly, one other person was shot outside their home which was five blocks away from the nightclub.
Anyone wanting access to counseling services can dial 211 or 239-433-3900. The police are said to believe this shooting is related to the scene at Club Blu.
Derrick Church, 19, of Fort Myers; Tajze Battle, 22, of Fort Myers and Demetrius O’Neal, 19, of Lehigh Acres were arrested.
Two people remained hospitalized in critical condition on Tuesday, hospital officials said.
Sarah Owen of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation said the community was seeking donations and assistance much like it did after Hurricane Charley struck the area in 2004. The deputy took out his handgun and shot Church before the auto could get any closer, investigators said.
They were later booked on charges connected to the chase, but it wasn’t immediately clear if they were suspected in the nightclub shooting. He is being held on a total bond of $100,000 and is due back in court late next month.
Church was charged with one count each of assault on officer firefighter EMT and resist officer flee elude law enforcement officer with lights siren active, according to booking records at the Lee County Jail. All three were charged with resisting an officer.
Crime in Florida has been on the decline, Gov. Rick Scott noted during a news conference Monday.
Those in custody were not identified and no information on arrests or charges was released.
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“The information known by a significant number of individuals is pivotal to moving this case forward, and ensuring that the parties responsible for their deadly actions are brought to justice”, Routte said.
