A woman is sharing her experience after she says her boyfriend threatened to beat her with a gun. The incident took place on Sunday outside the Lee County Jail as a deputy was walking to work.
It was a desperate cry for help from the girlfriend of 18-year-old Gustavo Reyes. “He threatened to beat me to a pulp with his gun. He said because he couldn’t kill me he would just hurt me really bad”
At the survivor’s request, WINK News will not be showing her face or naming her for safety reasons.
She told WINK News the two were driving in downtown Fort Myers to pick up a friend on Sunday. Then an argument started, and she knew she needed help.
That’s when she saw a lee county deputy.
“I roll down the window and I said can you please help me. I’m in my boyfriend’s car and he’s threatening to beat me with his gun and he won’t let me out.”
The deputy asked Reyes multiple times to get out of the car.
“He starts acting like he’s going to. And then as soon as the officer hesitates he starts pulling off he just starts driving straight forward,” the woman said.
Then Reyes made a sudden movement, which caused the deputy to fire his weapon through the passenger side door where the woman was sitting.
“I didn’t even realize that he got shot until I looked down and thought why are my ears ringing. And his arm was gushing blood. It’s like filling up the middle console of his car.”
When Reyes drove off, the survivor says he stopped to throw the gun away. Giving her a chance to get out of the car.
“I unlock the door and step one foot out of the car and as I do he pushes me out of the car and he speeds off.”
Still disoriented from the gunshot, she found safety and help. She told WINK News that she wants others to learn from her experience
“I’m really glad that I didn’t lose my life that day,” she said. “If you’re ever in a situation where you need help or you feel afraid to ask for help or if you can’t you should, even if it’s super scary.”
The survivor said she and Reyes were together off and on for five years. She called their relationship toxic and not peaceful.
Gustavo Reyes has been released on a $65,000 bond.
If you are a victim of domestic violence and are looking for help you can find a life of local resources below.
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
- 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
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/