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River District businesses react to news of fallen officer

By Maggie Crane, WINK News

Many busy intersections of Downtown Fort Myers were blocked off until early afternoon as police continued to investigate the early-morning shooting of Fort Myers Police Officer Andrew Widman, who was shot and killed in the line of duty.

Crime scene tape and evidence markers covering cross streets in Downtown Fort Myers is the latest problem facing the River District. Continuing road construction coupled with the sluggish economy has crippled some downtown businesses. Now workers here hope crime of this magnitude doesn't keep even more people away.

"It's a tragedy. I hope it's not indicative of Fort Myers today downtown where I work and live," Woody Hanson, River District property owner, says.

"It concerns me. It's scary just to think that people have no regard for human life," Lori Gilbert, Second Street Deli employee, says. "{The gunman} just recklessly pulled out the gun."

"There's no place for {guns} in Downtown Fort Myers. Not in a bar. It's totally unacceptable," Hanson says.

"I think it's an isolated incident," Connie Ricci, who works downtown, says. "I don't think it's really that bad."

Fort Myers police say the gunman told witnesses he would go out quote -- "Miami style, taking an officer with him."

Saturday, Jul 19 at 4:58 PM Woody Hanson wrote ...

My thoughts and prayers are with Offer Widman's family, period. WINK TV's storyline about a "struggling downtown FM," is a disgrace. I own a downtown business and I own downtown real estate. Not once have I stopped to think how this tragedy will affect an "already struggling downtown FM." Downtown FM is just a "place," Officer Widman is "human being." And nothing, and I mean nothing, should even matter, other than Officer Widman's family. That is the story. Wake up WINK.

Saturday, Jul 19 at 2:01 PM Jared wrote ...

To the officer's family may god be with you and all of the Fort Myers Police Department.

Saturday, Jul 19 at 11:30 AM Jeanne wrote ...

My thoughts and prayers to the family. So sorry for your loss. At least this man was killed, he got what he deserved. And thankfully we're not paying for him to live for the next 20 yrs in prison.

Saturday, Jul 19 at 10:04 AM Barry Cohen wrote ...

TO the family of officer Andrew Widman, My heart as well as my family goes out to you. My brother is a lee county officer who was shot in 1994. He is still with us.He was lucky.I know what I felt when I got the knock on the door in the middle of the night. Please know that your family will have not only has the support of the fort myers police dept. but also the whole coummity. Deeply sorry for the loss of a true hero OFFICE ANDREW WIDMAN

Friday, Jul 18 at 7:16 PM fundermarks wrote ...

our hearts and prayers are with the family. My God watch over all of you.

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