Woman injured by pellet after ‘random’ shooting on Marco Island

Marco Island Police Department confirmed Wednesday a woman who was injured in a recent shooting was hit by a projectile from a “pellet-style” gun.

Tuesday, March 30, police responded to the report of a shooting in the area of 2nd Avenue and Marco Lake Drive, where a woman had been shot in the hand and taken to a hospital for treatment.

Investigators say what is now considered a pellet gun shooting was a “random event,” and investigators are still searching for a possible suspect.

“The next day I was kind of scared, so I left the outside lights on,” Karolina Bukowski said.

Flashing lights and patrol cars are not part of the usual scene in a neighborhood people say is normally very quiet.

Martha Turaer lives behind the duplex that was wrapped in crime scene tape last week. She says police asked her questions.

“He asked me if you see anything, if you hear anything,” Turaer said. “I say, ‘No. I got off of work.’”

Police now say the woman rushed to the hospital was injured by some sort of pellet gun.

“He said it’s about BB guns,” Turaer said. “Somebody got hit in their hand. Probably, somebody like say, ‘You got a lot of iguanas here.’ Probably be here like Key West soon, too many iguanas.”

Neighbors say they’ve noticed a lot of visitors in the area recently.

“A lot,” Turaer said. “This is the worst year.”

“March was really busy here on Marco,” Bukowski said.

More than a week later, neighbors here just want answers.

“It’s been a couple days now and still no info besides a pellet gun apparently,” Bukowski said. “It’s Marco. Nothing ever happens here, so.”

The Marco Island Police Department is now seeking the public’s assistance.

MIPD said in a press release, “If you have information regarding any individual who possesses or shoots a pellet-type gun in the area or observed something suspicious, we encourage you to contact us at (239) 389-5050.”

Or you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-8477. Tips may also be made online or on the P3 Tips app. All tipsters will remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000.