Ex-wife faces new charges for involvement in near-fatal Naples shooting

Reporter: Haley Zarcone Writer: Paul Dolan
Published: Updated:

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested the ex-wife of a shooting victim who nearly lost his life.

According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Rebecca Gabay, 37, was arrested at her Naples home for her role in the shooting of Scotty McCandless and Amy Chesser on Immokalee Road on June 1, 2023.

Gabay faces two charges for accessory after the fact.

Detectives say Gabay assisted 29-year-old Julian Mendes-Wolf and 39-year-old Ryan Toranzo in the crime.

Friends and family of McCandless let out a sigh of relief Friday.

“When I was told today, I got goosebumps, so it was a good feeling,” said Lindsay Downs, mother of McCandless’ eldest son. “It’s been a long year; we’ve been waiting for this day for Rebecca to be arrested for this.”

Gabay is the third arrest in this case, following Mendes-Wolf and Toranzo.

“Scott and Amy, they deserve so much, and their life was altered that day, and my son’s life was altered that day, and the other kids involved, their lives were altered that day, and they’ll never be the same,” Downs said.

Mendes-Wolf and Toranzo are facing two counts of attempted murder and one count of shooting into occupied vehicle charges. They are both in the Collier County Jail.

Since the shooting, detectives have issued subpoenas, executed search warrants, conducted interviews and processed several electronic devices.

This investigation remains ongoing.

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