Crime
Lee County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Fatal Shooting and Barricade Incident in Lehigh Acres
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) has released details regarding a tragic series of events that began with the fatal shooting of a woman in Lehigh Acres and culminated in the death of a suspect from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family suffering from an unimaginable loss this Christmas,” stated Sheriff Carmine Marceno. “This senseless act, and the subsequent incident that followed, is both unfortunate and devastating to our community as a whole. I am incredibly proud of my team members who worked tirelessly over the last 30 hours to conduct a thorough investigation, ultimately providing some form of closure to the victim’s family today.”
Deputies responded to reports of a shooting in the area of Nora Avenue in Lehigh Acres.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a female victim had been fatally shot.
The suspect fled the scene before law enforcement arrived.
Due to the severity of the crime, the LCSO Homicide Unit, alongside the Electronic Surveillance Unit, Real-Time Intelligence Center, and the State Attorney’s Office, launched an intensive investigation. Detectives established probable cause to arrest the suspect for Second-Degree Murder and Battery on a Person 65 or Older.
Tuesday morning, the LCSO Special Operations Unit (SOU) responded to a residence on 9th Street Southwest in Lehigh Acres, where the suspect was believed to be barricaded.
SOU members collaborated with the Electronic Surveillance Unit, Major Crimes Unit, Fugitive Warrants Unit, and K9 Unit to gain access to the home.
During the operation to locate and apprehend the suspect, deputies discovered a deceased male inside the residence. Preliminary findings indicate that the individual died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The investigation remains active as detectives work to piece together the events surrounding both incidents.
Sheriff Marceno reiterated the department’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community, even during such tragic circumstances.
The LCSO extends its deepest sympathies to the victim’s family and encourages anyone with additional information to come forward.
For further details or to provide information, contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Christian County, Mo. — Authorities have identified the suspect accused of fatally shooting a deputy with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office during a traffic stop as Richard Bird.
At the time the Blue Alert was issued, the suspect had not yet been taken into custody.
According to law enforcement officials, the deputy initiated a traffic stop involving a 2001 Chevrolet extended cab pickup truck along State Highway 160 near Highlandville.
During the stop, the suspect allegedly opened fire, fatally wounding the deputy before fleeing the scene.
The suspect was reported to have traveled southbound on Highway 160 following the shooting.
Authorities described the suspect vehicle as a black 2001 Chevrolet extended cab pickup truck equipped with a silver brush guard, black body trim, tinted rear windows, and a three-ball trailer hitch. The vehicle was bearing Missouri license plate 9MG-X36.
A statewide Blue Alert was issued to notify the public and assist in locating the suspect.
Law enforcement officials urged residents not to approach the vehicle or suspect if located, but instead to immediately call 911 and provide detailed information while remaining at a safe distance.
Christian County is situated south of Springfield and north of Branson, an area that sees significant travel due to its proximity to the Ozarks.
Multiple agencies across the region coordinated efforts in response to the alert.
Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting or the status of the investigation.
Law enforcement officials expressed their condolences to the deputy’s family, colleagues, and the community as they continue to pursue justice in the case.