Suspect in Fort Myers officer-involved shooting held without bond

The suspect arrested in an officer-involved shooting in Fort Myers appeared in court again Sunday morning and was ordered held without bond.

For the third day in a row, David Dotts remained unresponsive as a judge spoke to him.

Dotts, 37, is accused of attempting to get into a restricted part of the Fort Myers Police Department on Wednesday before fleeing from them during a traffic stop that landed his vehicle in a retention pond at Fowler and Thompson streets downtown.

His charges include two counts of aggravated assault, resisting an officer, and hit-and-run.

Dotts spent some time in the hospital after his vehicle went into the water.

On Friday, a judge rolled his first appearance to Saturday because Dotts was not answering questions.

The same happened Saturday morning, and when he appeared Sunday morning, he was again silent.

“If you want to sit in jail, you can remain unresponsive, but if you want me to set a bond so you can possibly bond out, then I need you to talk to me, you understand,” a judge said.

Dotts stared ahead as he appeared over a televised monitor.

A court-appointed public defender said they were OK with the judge setting bond, but will be held without bond due to violating his probation from a previous arrest.

Bond for his most arrest was set at $50,000 for each aggravated assault charge, $20,000 for fleeing and eluding, and $5,000 for a hit-and-run.

An officer with the Fort Myers Police Department testified that “Mr. Dotts is a danger to the community, and his behavior has been escalating.”

Dotts’ next court hearing is scheduled for May 24.