Investigators are at the scene of a deadly shooting in Collier County early Tuesday morning. A suspect was arrested in connection with this shooting on Tuesday afternoon.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that a death investigation is underway at the 700 block of 99th Avenue in Naples Park after it received a call about a shooting around 1:15 a.m. The CCSO’s public information officer says it is an isolated incident and investigators are confident there is no danger to the public.
Austin James Steinbach was arrested and could face second-degree murder, shooting a deadly missile and aggravated battery with deadly weapon charges. Deputies say Steinbach and others went to the victim’s home with intention of shooting at it.
One person has died and three people were injured as a result of the shooting in Naples Park.
There had been ongoing issues between Steinbach, other individuals and the deceased man, according to Collier County deputies.
The scene was hard for neighbors to see but it was easy for them to hear. Brock Slater lives in the neighborhood. “I heard bang bang bang bang bang,” Slater said.
Rodney lives nearby as well. “I don’t know what happened. All I know is I heard [a] bunch of pops,” he said.
Witnesses told deputies that they saw a truck circling the victim’s street. Eventually, the truck parked in the driveway. Individuals from inside the truck and the truck bed began firing shots into the home.
As the sun came up, investigators were able to reveal that there was an active death investigation. Residents who were going for a walk or a bike ride saw deputies focusing on one home. They were searching the front lawn with metal detectors. Investigators also took pictures of the garage door.
Deputies could be seen taking plastic bins and step stools to the backyard of the home.
Tammy Phillipy is another neighbor. “It’s scary and sad, it’s a quaint little neighborhood,” Phillipy said.
Thomas Schalute says he wasn’t expecting this to happen here. “A bit surprising from this neighborhood,” Schalute said.
“It’s so close right across the street I’m going Jesus, crazy,” Rodney said.
The victim was found in the backyard with a gunshot wound to the chest. the person was transported to the hospital and was pronounced dead there.
Another man was present at the home at the time of the shooting. He sustained a gunshot wound to the calf. He was also taken to the hospital and subsequently released.
Suzanne Lamb lives in the neighborhood as well. “My heart just goes out to their family, and the neighbors, because I didn’t know them personally but my heart just sinks, you know all I can do is just pray,” Lamb said.
“After you heard the first six shots it was like…is there anymore?” Slater said.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is referring to this shooting as an “isolated incident.”
Investigators also removed a silver Kia with a shattered back window from the home. However, the sheriff’s office did not say how the car was involved.
Steinbach was not injured during the shooting but two other people sustained serious injuries.
More arrests are expected to be made at a later date, according to CCSO.
The identity of the deceased and those injured in the shooting are protected under the Florida statute known as Marsy’s Law.