Two teens were shot and killed early morning on Sunday, May 21st. The two teenagers, now identified as 17 year old Julian Santiago-Villatoro and 16 year old Reno Morales-Martinez, were standing outside the apartment they lived in Downtown Fort Myers at approximately 2:48 AM on Saturday morning where they were then shot and killed by now identified Isaiah Morrison III, 24. Who was caught fleeing the scene in a stolen vehicle shortly after. Neighbors report exactly six shots being heard outside.
16 year old Reno Morales-Martinez was shot twice, once in the head and once in the chest and was rushed to Lee Health County hospital shortly after. There, was where he fought for his life for 14 hours and 15 minutes and eventually passed away on
Sunday, May 21st, at 5:03 PM.
17 year old Julian Santiago-Villatoro was shot exactly four times. Twice in the chest, once on the shoulder, and once on his left foot. He was also taken to Lee Health County hospital in critical condition and was reportedly gaining consciousness-but passed away early Monday morning due to complications of the heart.
Police say the double-homicide was most likely a gang related incident and was another part played in the gang war that is currently taking place in South Florida.
Residents of the apartments where Julian and Reno once lived expressed their concerns about the ongoing string of gang related incidents linked to multiple different gangs in Downtown Fort Myers and Tampa.
A mother by the name of Neyda Velasquez is a mother who lives in the next building down and states “The helicopters, we woke up and heard them.” She expresses how this investigation makes her worry about the safety of her own children
“Really scary because it’s supposed to be safe and we’re supposed to take our kids enjoy the day, but with everything going on, it’s not safe to be honest.”