FDLE concludes investigation of Fort Myers apartment shooting

Nine months after Fort Myers police killed a man who was firing a rifle from the balcony of his apartment, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and State Attorney’s Office declared the use of deadly force was justified.

“These officers. I want to stress. did exactly what they are trained to do: They acted in a heroic fashion, true to their oath, true to their community and true to each other,” said Deputy Chief Jeffery Meyers of the Fort Myers Police Department.

On July 21, 2022, residents of the Vistas at Eastwood apartment complex made 73 frantic 911 calls about 29-year-old Ryan McFarland-Bauer shooting a rifle from his third-floor balcony. Officers raced to the complex shortly before midnight. What happened in the next 20 minutes after their arrival left neighbors shaken and two officers under investigation.

After FDLE’s interviews, evidence collection, witness statements,and other documentation, the officers involved in the case were found to have “fired their weapons believing that their lives, the lives of fellow law enforcement officers, and citizens in the area were in immediate jeopardy and used deadly force to stop the threat.”

FMPD ended up in a shoot-out with McFarland-Bauer. The autopsy says he died of multiple gunshot wounds from officers’ return fire. Multiple drugs were found in McFarland-Bauer’s system, including meth and cocaine.

Statements from July show how shaken officers and neighbors alike were on that day.

“Upon the officers’ arrival, they were met with gunfire,” Meyers said. “Officers returned fire and began immediate evacuation of the building.”

“We hid in our roommate’s room for a little bit, and then it started getting real bad,” said resident Eston Coffey.

“We all hid in the bathroom, and I think we were in there for about an hour,” said Sadie Letterman.”

“I know for a fact people in his building have children,” said Bian Olson. “I can see them on their lanai all the time. What if he, instead of being on his lanai, he was outside just shooting? Or went building to building?”

“I’m proud of not only those two officers but all the officers and dispatchers that responded to this call and reacted to this call,” Meters said. “As police officers, we try for peaceful resolution of any situation. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen.”

“It’s going to be a memory,” Olson said. “I mean, every time you look out there you’re going to see, ‘Oh, yeah, there was a guy shooting a rifle.'”

Those officers involved in the shooting were put on leave while the investigation was underway. It has not been said whether they are back on duty or not.