Victim of Fort Myers shooting identified, shooter on the loose

On Thursday around 7:30 pm a man was seen being rushed to an ambulance on a stretcher after a car crash, witnesses say he was being chased by a gunman.

According to Fort Myers Police Department, Nathaniel Willis Pitts, 42, crashed his truck into a utility pole at Cranford Avenue and Guava Street in Fort Myers Thursday, knocking out power to a neighborhood.

Fort Myers Police Department noticed bullet holes in the side of the truck and they are investigating bullet casings nearby on Seaboard Street and Michigan Avenue with the road blocked off.

Officer attempted CPR on Pitts until an ambulance arrived, but Pitts passed away at Lee Memorial Hospital from his injuries.

“We knew it was really bad because I could see it through my kitchen window,” said Christian, a witness who only wanted to be identified by his first name.

He said he was sitting inside his home when he heard several gunshots.

“I was in the kitchen,” Christian said. “And, I was getting a glass of water when I heard like seven gunshots go off. My parents said, ‘Everyone duck;’ so we laid down on the ground.”

He said, seconds later, he heard the car crash and then their home lost power.

“That’s when we saw the transformer,” Christian said.  “The guy that crashed in the light post.”

Christian said he ran over to help out.

“There was this man,” Christian said. “He looked real bad. He looked injured. He snapped the pole in half. He was in really bad shape, and that’s when they told us to back off. They were giving him CPR and everything. I don’t know if he’s going to make it.”

Christian said he saw another car involved in the scene take off with squad cars behind it.

Christian’s statements have not been confirmed by police.

There are 15 people without power in the neighborhood due to the blown transformer. FPL is working to restore the power line that was damaged.

Fort Myers Councilman Johnny Streets asserted his opinion regarding the efforts by law enforcement to apprehend Pitts’ killer. Lee County now has 22 unsolved murder in 2018.

“We can find someone who sent bombs all over the country,” Streets said. “I think we can do better finding somebody who’s doing the shooting in our city.”

Streets is looking for all the unsolved cases to be completed, so the city can enact justice.

“It’s always unsettling,” Streets said. “And this is just one we’re talking about. There’s so many people out there that need to be brought to justice and we know that, and we’re still searching for them.”

Streets wants those who may have answers to come forward.

“I believe people are better than what’s been happening in this city,” Streets said.

This is an active investigation by FMPD detectives. Anyone who may have information on this incident is encouraged to contact FMPD Detective Emily Destefanis at (239) 321-8011 or emailedestefanis@fmpolice.com.

Trust WINK News to update you as more information becomes available.