A 17-year-old male was arrested Monday for a shooting death at a Fort Myers apartment complex over the weekend.
Sunday, Fort Myers Police Department said a man was found dead inside a car that had crashed into the clubhouse at The Retreat at Vista Lake apartment complex near Winkler Avenue and Veronica Shoemaker Boulevard. The man had been shot prior to the crash, according to FMPD.
The suspect was identified as Ar’Trayvis Ravon Stanberry. He was arrested and faces one count of homicide.
According to the FMPD report, Stanberry met with an individual at the apartment complex just before 8 p.m. Police say he shot at the person and did not miss. Officers arrived at the scene and found a black Kia that had crashed into the front office building at the complex. The driver of the car was found dead behind the wheel, with the car still running.
Someone told police Stanberry disposed of a firearm inside a dumpster, and police confirmed it was found in a trash compactor; however, the location of the compactor is redacted.
Neighbors that live at The Retreat were shocked to see this happen in their complex.
Joe Maughan says, at this time of year, he expects to see Christmas lights, not the lights of cop cars.
“I just saw lights flashing. I tried to see, but I couldn’t see anything but the flashing lights. They were up at the front of the complex,” Maughan said.
Sandy Vidal lives in the building next to where the crash took place.
“We came outside and saw 10 police cars. They were roping off that whole area over there all the way over to the other side of the office. They were just everywhere,” Vidal said. “I was concerned for my safety, and they said they had no information at the moment.”
Monday, The Retreat at Vista Lake management sent out an email that did offer some information but also created more questions.
Breanna Bland is another resident at The Retreat. “When I first saw it I thought it was a robbery or something,” she said. “I didn’t think someone got hurt and passed away, so it’s sad.”
“There was times when they were right here, and I had no clue what was going on,” Maughan said.
Many neighbors say they still feel safe, despite Sunday night’s heavy police presence.
“I’m not concerned because, since February, nothing like that has happened,” Bland said.
Stanberry was booked into Lee County Jail and then transferred to Lee County’s juvenile detention facility. His bond has not been set, and he is scheduled to be in juvenile court Dec. 21.