A man accused of shooting two people at an apartment complex in Fort Myers was arrested in Mississippi on Monday morning. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 35-year-old Roger De Le Cruz was taken into custody by deputies from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office near Gulfport, Mississippi.
The shooting happened late Saturday night at Cypress West Apartments, located on the 6000 block of Panther Lane, across from Cypress Lake Middle School. Deputies arrived just after 11 p.m. after receiving reports of gunfire. When they got to the scene, they found two people with multiple gunshot wounds. Both victims were rushed to the hospital and are now in stable condition.
Neighbours described a chaotic and frightening night. Michael Atkinson, who lives next door, said he initially wasn’t sure what had happened until he saw the police outside.
“My daughter’s mother told me, ‘Hey, go check on our daughter.’ I did that, I came back, and by that time, the police had gotten here,” Atkinson said. “That was total confirmation—like, okay, yeah, those were gunshots. Somebody literally opened fire over here in Cypress West. That doesn’t happen.”
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said she didn’t hear the gunshots but became worried when deputies knocked on her door around 11 p.m.
“I’m terrified for the mother’s sake because she does have a little seven-to-eight-year-old,” the neighbor said. “I’m just so thrilled to hear that they caught the guy and that he’s being held accountable for what he did.”
The victims have not been publicly identified, but a family member of one of them confirmed to Fox 4 that she is recovering and “doing better.” The family is relieved that the suspect has been arrested, but they are still processing the trauma from the incident.
Neighbours who witnessed the police activity that night shared their thoughts on how the event affected their sense of security. Some residents said they no longer feel as safe in the area as they once did.
“It’s scary to think that something like this could happen so close to home,” one neighbour said. “You hear about shootings on the news all the time, but when it happens right outside your door, it’s a whole different feeling.”
A long-time resident of the complex added that while minor issues had happened before, nothing like this had ever taken place in the community.
“I’ve lived here for years, and we’ve never had anything this serious happen. I really hope this isn’t a sign of things to come,” he said.
Authorities say De Le Cruz fled to Mississippi after the shooting. He was captured with the help of the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and now faces two counts of attempted second-degree murder. Officials also confirmed that he has an ICE hold, meaning immigration authorities have placed a detainer on him for possible deportation or further legal action.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno praised the cooperation between law enforcement agencies in tracking down De Le Cruz.
“My team is working with our State Attorney’s Office and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office to bring Roger De Le Cruz back to Lee County, where he will face the consequences of his heinous crime,” Marceno said.
Marceno also reassured the public that the suspect’s arrest means there is no longer any immediate danger to the community.
“This was an isolated incident. There is no ongoing threat to the public, and our deputies will continue to work diligently to ensure the safety of our residents,” he added.
For some residents, the arrest has provided some comfort, but concerns remain about safety in the area. Some parents have expressed worries about their children living so close to where the violence occurred, especially since it is near a middle school.
“It’s unsettling to think about what could have happened if this had taken place during school hours,” a concerned parent said. “It’s a reminder that we need to be extra cautious and aware of what’s happening in our neighborhood.”
The investigation remains active, and detectives are working to determine what led to the shooting. Authorities have not released details about the motive, but they are encouraging anyone with information to come forward.
Residents say they hope this tragic event serves as a wake-up call for stronger community engagement and better security measures. Some are calling for increased police patrols in the area to prevent further incidents.
“We need more security, more patrols at night. This isn’t something we should just forget about once the suspect is caught,” a neighbour said.
Others are urging community members to be more vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately. “If you see something that doesn’t feel right, speak up,” another resident said. “We can’t just ignore warning signs. It could save lives.”
As the victims continue their recovery, their families are expressing gratitude for the quick response from law enforcement and medical teams. They remain hopeful for justice as the legal process moves forward.
Anyone with additional information about the case is encouraged to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Officials have assured the community that updates will be provided as new details emerge.
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