Fort Myers man wanted for attempted murder

FORT MYERS, Fla.- Police are searching for a man accused of attempted murder and attempted carjacking.

19-year-old Brian Patterson Jr. is also facing charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon  and shooting into an occupied vehicle.

Authorities responded to a report of gunshots fired in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven located at 1350 Ortiz Avenue around 6 p.m. Thursday.

Upon arriving, officers located multiple ammunition casings along with broken glass believed to be from a car window.

A witness told police there was an altercation between a person in a white sedan and another person in a blue jeep. Neither vehicle was at the scene when police arrived.

A short time later FMPD was dispatched to the RaceTrac gas station located on the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Ortiz Avenue to meet with a man in a blue jeep who said he was the victim of an attempted carjacking at 7-Eleven.

The victim told officers he was in the parking lot of 7-Eleven when a man approached him with a handgun. Police say the suspect hit the victim with his handgun and demanded his vehicle. When the victim refused to give up his car, the suspect fired a round at him but missed.

Authorities say the victim fled the scene in his jeep as the suspect fired several more rounds, striking the vehicle numerous times. The suspect entered a white sedan and began to chase the victim.

The victim was able to lose the suspect and once he collected himself he went to the RaceTrac to call police.

Officials are also investigating a series of other shots fired calls that came in shortly after the initial attempted carjacking incident involving Patterson. There were no injuries reported in any of the subsequent shots fired calls and police are working to determine if the incidents are related.

“Patterson is a convicted felon with a violent past. Patterson should be considered armed and dangerous and his apprehension is a top priority. We are looking for the community’s assistance to help bring Patterson in quickly,” said Police Chief Doug Baker.

Police are asking the public to review the attached images of Patterson and the vehicle he used during the offense. Anyone with information is asked to a call FMPD Detective Dan Losapio at 321-7700, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS or text message C-R-I-M-E-S (274637) Keyword FMPD.  Tipsters can remain anonymous. Anyone with information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the attempted murder suspect could be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.