The shooting incident took place at the Club Blu in Fort Myers where a “Swimsuit and Glow Party” was taking place for a party of teenagers.
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Gunfire erupted at a nightclub hosting a swimsuit-themed party for teens in Florida, leaving two teens dead and at least 17 other people wounded, officials said Monday. The message also said the club, which was closing when the shooting occurred, had armed security and other security measures inside and outside the club. Police said officers responded to reports of a shooting in the club’s parking lot to find several victims with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening, police said.
The men who fled – Demetrius O’Neal, 19, of 2700 S.W. 27th St., Lehigh Acres, and Tajze Akiir Battle, 22, of 71 Palm Tree Lane, Fort Myers – were later located and also taken into custody. Strawder, 18, was killed in the deadly shooting outside the Club Blu nightclub. Four people remained in the hospital. Two were in critical condition and two were in fair condition, said Lisa Sgarlata, the chief administrative officer at Lee Memorial Health System. “These days in Lee County, somebody’s always shooting”, Filardi said.
Deputies told WBBH TV that when the trio was fleeing authorities, Church was driving and tried to run over a deputy, who shot him in the stomach. Two men were each shot in the leg but told police they did not want to press charges. The deputy took out his handgun and shot Church before the vehicle could get any closer, investigators said.
According to the agency, Derrick Church, 19, was charged with assault on a law enforcement officer after accelerating his vehicle toward a sheriff’s deputy.
Authorities later tracked down O’Neal and Battle and charged them with resisting without violence. His bond was set at $100,000. All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers and $20,000 from the Fort Myers Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. O’Neal’s bond was set at $5,000, while Battle’s bond was set at $3,500.
Authorities are attempting to speak to witnesses but few individuals are cooperating with the investigation, Crime Stoppers added.
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“We are deeply sorry for all involved. But 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”. Tips may also be made online at: www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by texting CRIMES (274637) Keyword: REWARD.
