FMPD chief: New unit likely prevented 5 mass shootings

FORT MYERS, Fla. — A new gang-supression unit has paid significant dividends, Fort Myers police chief Derrick Diggs said.

Diggs cited the program for the recovery of 39 firearms, including five assault-type weapons, during September and October. All of the weapons are directly related to criminal investigations, and many were seized from documented gang members who live in Fort Myers, Diggs said during a press conference Wednesday.

“Within the last two months, this initiative probably prevented probably about five mass shooting incidents within the city of Fort Myers since this initiative has started,” Diggs said.

FMPD says they've confiscated 39 weapons including 5 assault weapons. #winknews

— Andrew Scheinthal (@AScheinthalNews) November 2, 2016

One would-be mass shooting was stopped because of the Sept. 10 seizure of an assault weapon at the Club Vegas Lounge, 2158 Colonial Blvd No. 1, Diggs said. Another operation recovered multiple firearms from the same location.

“There’s no explanation to have an assault-type weapon at a location like Club Vegas … other than to commit some type of mass violent crime,” Fort Myers Police Department Lt. Jay J. Rodriguez said.

Representatives for the lounge refused comment to WINK News.

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