Alabama man charged in Beach shooting incident in Lee Jail
A suspect has been arrested in connection with a Memorial Day shooting incident during a large fight on Fort Myers Beach.
Nobody was struck by the shots fired, but numerous people fled the beach in the wake of the altercation. A 9 mm casing was found on the beach.
Jatavion Kaijal Adams Craig, 18, was arrested Thursday morning in Alabama on a felony charge of aggravated assault with a firearm (without intent to kill) and discharging a firearm in public (a misdemeanor).
He remained in the Lee County Jail Tuesday morning. He was booked in at 2:01 a.m. Friday.
Craig could face more charges, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said at a press conference announcing the arrest held Thursday afternoon.
“If we can bring other charges against him, believe me, we will,” Marceno said.
Marceno said Craig has family ties in Lee County, but doesn’t live here. Marceno said Lee County Sheriff’s Office detectives were in Alabama after he was arrested by the local police department there. The Alabama resident was transported to Lee County to face charges.
“This violence and reckless disregard for human life will not be tolerated in our county. Citizens who choose to enjoy a day at the beach will not be disturbed and terrified with chaos,” Marceno said. Marceno said Craig was considered to be a “serious danger to our community.”
The incident took place on the beach sand behind the Avenue C parking lot and near Wicked Wings around 5 p.m. during a large brawl.
“I promise you I will devote any and all resources needed to bring violent thugs like this to justice. Our community and our beaches will be safe,” Marceno said at the press conference.
There was a verbal altercation on the beach which led to the shots fired but the incident is still under investigation, Marceno said.
“He will get every charge possible,” Marceno said.
To reach NATHAN MAYBERG, please email nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com