Two teenagers killed outside Florida party
Three arrested as police say it was not an act of terror
MIAMI // Two people were killed and at least 17 others wounded when a shooting broke out yesterday in the car park of a Florida nightclub hosting a party for teenagers.
Police said the shooting at Club Blu in Fort Myers was not an act of terror and three people had been arrested.
Witnesses described people scattering when gunfire broke out shortly after midnight, ducking and running behind a nearby residential building, with children as young as 12 among the injured.
Police said the two killed were Sean Archilles, 14, and Ste’Fan Strawder, 18.
“It was a young teen event. The kid I was holding in my lap, he was 14 years old that got shot,” said Tatian Nouhaioi, a neighbour. “Then there was a little girl who also got shot and she was 13. One security guard’s daughter got shot, so I mean there was kids 13, 14, 15, 16.”
Four of the injured were taken to hospital. Two were in critical condition and two in fair condition, said Lisa Sgarlata, the chief administrative officer at Lee Memorial Health System.
She said all of the other patients were treated and released. The victims ranged in age from 12 to 27.
Club Blu said the shooting broke out as the “Swimsuit Glow Party” was winding down and parents were picking up their children – and despite the fact there was armed security inside and outside the venue.
“We are deeply sorry for all involved,” the club said.
“We tried to give the teenagers what we thought was a safe place to have a good time.”
The Fort Myers police department said the shooting occurred at about 12.30am in the club’s car park.
A nearby home and vehicles were also shot at, resulting in one minor injury.