Man shot by Cape police officers dies
CCPD: Shooting occurred when resident pointed handgun at law enforcement
A Cape Coral man has died following a shooting involving Cape Coral Police Department officers on Wednesday night.
Daniel Eric Colon, 43, was transported to the hospital after being shot multiple times and taken into surgery. CCPD officials on Thursday confirmed he had succumbed to his wounds.
According to CCPD officials, around 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, officers responded to a disturbance at a home in the 1400 block of N.E. 10th Terrace.
Police officials state the 911 caller reported seeing a male, later identified as Colon, armed with a gun and a knife. Police said the caller told dispatch Colon forcibly kicked in the front door of the home.
CCPD officials said a resident inside the home also called 911 to report that a family member had kicked in the door, and that Colon was later observed leaving the scene on foot heading toward Northeast 15th Place with a gun in his hand. CCPD officials said after the shooting, the investigation revealed Colon was in possession of a C02 Airsoft Pistol.
“Arriving officers immediately established a perimeter in the surrounding area while responding units contacted the resident to investigate and confirm details of the incident,” a CCPD release stated. “Cape Coral Police Officers and Lee County Sheriff’s Office Deputies began searching for the male in the area near Northeast 15th Place and Northeast Ninth Terrace, focusing on a dumpster enclosure behind the City Mattress located at 915 NE 15th Place.
“During the search, Colon emerged from bushes adjacent to the dumpster enclosure brandishing a black handgun and pointing it directly at officers and deputies. Two Cape Coral Police Officers discharged their service weapons, striking Colon.”
CCPD officials stated and showed in a release that Colon was pointing a weapon directly at officers via a still frame from one of the officer’s body-worn camera.
CCPD officials said Colon was immediately detained, and that he was administered medical care on scene until Lee County EMS arrived. Colon was transported to Gulf Coast Hospital where he was taken into surgery.
CCPD officials said no law enforcement personnel were injured during the indecent, and that the two involved officers were placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure for incidents of that nature.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com