Investigators search for suspect of deadly shooting on Fort Myers Beach

Reporter: Andrea Guerrero Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published:
Lani Kai Island Resort on Fort Myers Beach. Credit: WINK News.

Lee County Sheriff’s Office is still searching for a person Thursday who shot and killed a victim and injured two others near Lani Kai on Fort Myers Beach Wednesday morning.

Investigators say multiple shots were fired, and the suspect is still on the loose. Lani Kai representatives say they know one of the people in the group with the victim is an employee.

“I really never thought something like that would happen there honestly,” said Ava Montalvano, who was visiting from New Jersey.

“Kind of scary because it’s so close,” said Dallas Bare, visiting from Fort Pierce.

Lani Kai told us they’re doing what they can to help sheriff’s detectives find the man who opened fire behind the hotel, starting with the sharing of their surveillance video.

Lani Kai’s marketing director, Melissa Schneider, said she’s doing what it can to calm her guests’ nerves.

“There were a good amount of guests who understandably decided to check out early,” Schneider said. “And, with that, we fully refunded them completely in full. We do understand the situation, and there was no questions asked about that.”

We met with the mayor of Fort Myers Beach Thursday afternoon. He told us it’s critical the sheriff’s office finds the killer.

“The sooner they apprehend him and put him behind bars where he belongs, the better off we’ll all be,” Mayor Ray Murphy said. “It will be easier to sleep at night.”

The mayor says it’s the last thing the town needs right now.

“It’s just another black eye that we really don’t need,” Murphy said. “It’s unfortunate of course. We all wish that hadn’t happened.”

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.