Two women of unknown age were shot and killed at a home in San Carlos Park on Thursday.
According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened on the 18000 block of Apple Road before 8 a.m. in what the sheriff is calling domestic violence.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, a neighbor saw an altercation between Ethan Cartwright, 31, and the victims before the shooting.
Marceno said the man they have in custody first shot and killed a woman inside the house, then murdered another woman in a neighbors front yard.
Two young children were inside the home at the time of the first shooting but are now safe.
When deputies arrived, they say Cartwright was tased by deputies and then ran into a bedroom in the house before a hostage negotiations team was called in. He then gave himself up and came out of the home where he was arrested.
“I was woken up. I heard probably like two gunshots go off first,” said neighbor Courtney Demers, “My first thought was where is my gun because I want to make sure if anyone is coming near my house then I can keep my house protected.”
The two children who witnessed the shooting will have lasting impacts.
Dr. David Thomas, a retired police officer and professor of forensic studies at FGCU said, “you know, that loss, you feel that for the rest, they’ll feel that for the rest of their life.”
Thomas said it’s important they get help now. “You have to make sure that they have good resources available. Like they have good therapists shipped out purpose to work with them, and get over that hump.”
The sheriff’s office is not saying how the suspect Ethan Cartwright knew the two women.
WINK News asked if the children are with family but we haven’t heard back.
Watch a news conference from LCSO in the player below or click here.
Resources for victims of domestic violence in Southwest Florida
On Wednesday at 10 a.m. on CW, WINK News is airing a one-hour special on domestic violence.
Many think of domestic violence as physical hitting with potential signs of bruising of a victim, but it can also include verbal, mental, financial, and other types of abuse.
It can also impact people of all ages and of any sex.
During the hour we’ll tell the stories of survivors, red flags to look out for in a relationship, and provide resources.
If you can’t watch it live, check back here for the full special after it airs.
Resources
- National Network to End Domestic Violence: Financial Abuse
- Consider applying for a micro-loan with NNEDV’s Independence Project to begin rebuilding your credit score.
- Domestic violence myths
- Domestic Violence Centers map
Charlotte County
Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies
Phone: 941-639-5499
Hotline: 941-627-6000
SMS Text: 941-449-8534
TDD: 941-627-6000
Website: carefl.org
Chat: resourceconnect.com
Collier County
The Shelter for Abused Women & Children
Phone: 239-775-3862
Hotline: 239-775-1101
TDD: 239-775-4265
Website: naplesshelter.org
DeSoto County
Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center
Phone: 941-365-0208
Hotline: 941-365-1976
TDD: 941-365-1976
Website: sparcc.net
Glades County
Abuse Counseling and Treatment
Phone: 239-939-2553
Hotline: 239-939-3112
TDD: 239-939-3112
Website: actabuse.com
Hendry County
Abuse Counseling and Treatment
Phone: 239-939-2553
Hotline: 239-939-3112
TDD: 239-939-3112
Website: actabuse.com
Lee County
Abuse Counseling and Treatment
Phone: 239-939-2553
Hotline: 239-939-3112
TDD: 239-939-3112
Website: actabuse.com
Below are mental health resources available to Southwest Floridians at the national and local levels.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-8255
suicidepreventionlifeline.org
David Lawrence Center (Collier County)
(239)455-8500
davidlawrencecenter.org
SalusCare (Lee County)
(239)275-4242
saluscareflorida.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness, Collier County
namicollier.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry Counties
namilee.org
The National Alliance for Caregiving offers a free handbook
Circle of Care: A Guidebook for Mental Health Caregivers
Collier County Mental Health Court
ca.cjis20.org/home/collier
Lee County Mental Health Court
ca.cjis20.org/home/lee
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
convio.net
Local Support Groups: Anxiety and Depression Association of America
adaa.org
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Mental Health and Addiction Insurance Help)
hhs.gov/programs/topic-sites/mental-health-parity
Local veterans resource: Home Base SWFL
https://homebase.org/home-base-southwest-florida/